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Cardiac Pharmacology Flashcards

6 cards from real ECG practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 Cardiac Pharmacology flashcards as text

  1. Which class of medications slows the heart rate by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors?

    Answer: Beta-blockers

    Beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol, atenolol) block beta-1 receptors in the heart, reducing heart rate, contractility, and blood pressure.

  2. What is the primary use of nitroglycerin in cardiac patients?

    Answer: To relieve angina by dilating blood vessels

    Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that relaxes smooth muscle in blood vessel walls, reducing cardiac workload and relieving angina (chest pain from reduced blood flow).

  3. Which anticoagulant is commonly used to prevent stroke in atrial fibrillation?

    Answer: Warfarin or DOACs (direct oral anticoagulants)

    Warfarin and DOACs (like apixaban, rivaroxaban) are used in atrial fibrillation to prevent blood clots from forming in the fibrillating atria, reducing stroke risk.

  4. What does atropine do to the heart rate?

    Answer: Increases it by blocking vagal (parasympathetic) tone

    Atropine blocks the parasympathetic (vagal) input to the heart via muscarinic receptors, which removes the vagal brake and increases heart rate. It is used for symptomatic bradycardia.

  5. What is the antidote for warfarin overdose?

    Answer: Vitamin K

    Vitamin K reverses the anticoagulant effects of warfarin by restoring the production of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors (II, VII, IX, X).

  6. Why are statins prescribed for cardiac patients?

    Answer: To lower LDL cholesterol and reduce atherosclerosis risk

    Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, reducing LDL cholesterol production and decreasing the risk of atherosclerotic plaque buildup in coronary and other arteries.

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