A client who has a history of a major myocardial infarction is taking digoxin.The nurse explains this medication helps increase cardiac output by:
A) Increasing the heart rate
B) Reducing the resistance of pulmonary circulation
C) Increasing the force of the myocardial contraction
D) Increasing cardiac conduction

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Myocardial contractility affects stroke volume and cardiac output.Increased contraction increases the amount of blood ejected by the ventricles.Digoxin increases cardiac output by inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase,which makes more calcium available for contractile proteins,which results in a positive inotropic effect.One of the adverse reactions of digoxin is bradycardia.Digoxin does not reduce the resistance of pulmonary circulation or affect the electrical conduction of the heart.

A Client Who Has a History of a Major Myocardial