Downers - Nicardipine Flashcards
You are initiating a Nicardipine infusion for a patient. The recommended starting dose is 5 mg/hr, and the dose can be titrated every 5 minutes. What is the maximum recommended infusion rate for Nicardipine?
A) 5 mg/hr
B) 10 mg/hr
C) 15 mg/hr
D) 20 mg/hr
E) 25 mg/hr
C) 15 mg/hr
Dose Range:
-IV infusion: 5-15 mg/hr; start at 5 and titrate Q5 min)
Nicardipine is available in a concentration of 20 mg in 200 mL. What is the concentration of Nicardipine in mg/mL?
A) 0.01 mg/mL
B) 0.05 mg/mL
C) 0.1 mg/mL
D) 1 mg/mL
E) 2 mg/mL
C) 0.1 mg/mL
Concentration: 20mg in 200mL = 0.1 mg/mL
Nicardipine belongs to which class of drugs?
A) Beta blockers
B) Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
C) Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
D) ACE inhibitors
E) Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
B) Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
Which of the following best describes the primary action of Nicardipine?
A) It increases heart rate and myocardial contractility.
B) It causes selective relaxation of arterial resistance vessels.
C) It significantly decreases inotropy and dromotropy.
D) It primarily acts on venous smooth muscle.
E) It reduces both arterial and venous tone equally.
B) It causes selective relaxation of arterial resistance vessels.
Nicardipine has minimal effects on which of the following cardiac functions?
A) Arterial relaxation
B) Heart rate (chronotropy)
C) Inotropy and dromotropy
D) Blood pressure reduction
E) Vasoconstriction
C) Inotropy and dromotropy
What is the typical onset time for Nicardipine when administered intravenously?
A) 30 seconds
B) 1-3 minutes
C) 5-10 minutes
D) 15-20 minutes
E) 30-60 minutes
B) 1-3 minutes
The half-life of Nicardipine varies significantly depending on the duration of infusion. What is the range for Nicardipine’s half-life?
A) 1-5 minutes
B) 2 minutes to 14 hours
C) 5-10 hours
D) 15-20 hours
E) 24-48 hours
B) 2 minutes to 14 hours
Onset: 1-3 minutes; 10-30 min duration
o ½ Life: 2 min-14 hours depending on infusion time
What is the duration of action for Nicardipine after a single IV bolus dose?
A) 2-5 minutes
B) 10-30 minutes
C) 1-2 hours
D) 4-6 hours
E) 12-24 hours
B) 10-30 minutes
How is Nicardipine primarily eliminated from the body?
A) Renal excretion only
B) Biliary excretion only
C) Hepatic metabolism, with renal and biliary excretion
D) Pulmonary excretion
E) Intestinal absorption
C) Hepatic metabolism, with renal and biliary excretion
Nicardipine is most commonly used for:
A) Long-term management of hypertension
B) Short-term IV treatment of hypertension
C) Chronic angina management
D) Treating congestive heart failure
E) Managing pulmonary hypertension
B) Short-term IV treatment of hypertension
Nicardipine is contraindicated in patients with which of the following conditions?
A) Advanced aortic stenosis
B) Controlled hypertension
C) Decompensated heart failure
D) Stable angina
E) Both A and C
Which of the following is a common side effect associated with Nicardipine administration?
A) Seizures
B) Headache
C) Reflex tachycardia
D) Hypotension
E) Bradycardia
B) Headache
Which of the following is an uncommon but possible side effect of Nicardipine?
A) Reflex tachycardia
B) Reflex bradycardia
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Ventricular fibrillation
E) Bronchospasm
B) Reflex bradycardia
