Pharmacology and the Nursing Process by Linda Lane Lilley: Practice Exam

What is the primary action of direct-acting vasodilators?

1. They increase heart rate.

2. They cause peripheral vasodilation.

3. They decrease blood sugar levels.

4. They improve renal function.

The correct answer is: They cause peripheral vasodilation.

Direct-acting vasodilators work directly on smooth muscle cells in the walls of blood vessels, causing them to relax and widen. This results in peripheral vasodilation, or a decrease in blood pressure. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they describe actions that are not associated with direct-acting vasodilators. Option A suggests increasing heart rate, but vasodilators actually decrease heart rate as a result of decreased blood pressure. Option C mentions decreasing blood sugar levels, which is not a known effect of direct-acting vasodilators. Option D mentions improving renal function, but this is not the primary action of direct-acting vasodilators.