CVICU EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% PASS
Alpha 1 - CORRECT ANSWER-vasoconstriction
Alpha 2 - CORRECT ANSWER-Vasodilation and decreased BP.
Beta 1 - CORRECT ANSWER-Effects the heart
Beta 2 - CORRECT ANSWER-Effects the lungs
Norephinephrine (Levophed) - CORRECT ANSWER-Beta 1 and alpha stimulant.
For hypotension, maintain end-organ perfusion. Increases contractility, increases
heart rate , increases SVR, increases BP and coronary blood flow. Side effects:
tachycardia, dysthymias, hypertension, peripheral limb ischemia. Dosage: 0.02-0.05
mcg. Considerations: very rapid onset , half life is 2 mins , correct hypovolemia
before initiating
Epinephrine - CORRECT ANSWER-Beta 1 Beta 2 Alpha stimulant. Indication:
hypotension, inotropic support, anaphylaxis. Effects: increases contractility,
increases HR, SVR, relaxes smooth muscle of bronchial tree, produces cardiac
stimulation. Side effects: tachycardia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, myocardial
, ischemia, dysthymias. Dosage: 0.05-1 mcg. Considerations : monitor blood
glucose, 2 min half life, never ivp unless dead , IM inject for anaphylactic
Vasopressin - CORRECT ANSWER-antidiuretic hormone. Indication :
hypotension, used as an adjunct when vasopressors and fluid resuscitation are
ineffective in maintaining goal BP/MAP. Effects: ADH causes vasoconstriction,
water retention and urine concentration in order to increase SVR. Side effects:
myocardial ischemia, abdominal cramps , nausea vomiting, confusion,
hyponatremia. Dosage: 0.01-0.04 units. Considerations: fixed dose, 10-20 mins half
life
Phenylalanine ( neo synephrine ) - CORRECT ANSWER-Alpha stimulant.
Indication: hypotension. Effects: produces systemic arterial vasoconstriction (
increases SVR ). Side effects : 0.25-5mcg. Considerations: Dr must be present or
responding to beside for ivp , admin thru central line ,5 min half life
Dopamine (Inotropin) Class - CORRECT ANSWER-Beta one and Alpha
stimulant. Indication: hypotension associated with shock bradycardia or heart
block unresponsive to atropine cardiac pacing. Effects: effects are related to dosage
low-dose 2-10 µg has Beto one stimulant increases contractility improves renal
perfusion. High dose 10-20 µg has alpha stimulant increases vasoconstriction and
BP. Side effects: tachycardia dysrhythmias angina vasoconstriction palpitations
headache. Dosage: 2-20 µg. Consideration: two minute half-life level to max dose
10 µg infuse via central line.
ANSWERS 100% PASS
Alpha 1 - CORRECT ANSWER-vasoconstriction
Alpha 2 - CORRECT ANSWER-Vasodilation and decreased BP.
Beta 1 - CORRECT ANSWER-Effects the heart
Beta 2 - CORRECT ANSWER-Effects the lungs
Norephinephrine (Levophed) - CORRECT ANSWER-Beta 1 and alpha stimulant.
For hypotension, maintain end-organ perfusion. Increases contractility, increases
heart rate , increases SVR, increases BP and coronary blood flow. Side effects:
tachycardia, dysthymias, hypertension, peripheral limb ischemia. Dosage: 0.02-0.05
mcg. Considerations: very rapid onset , half life is 2 mins , correct hypovolemia
before initiating
Epinephrine - CORRECT ANSWER-Beta 1 Beta 2 Alpha stimulant. Indication:
hypotension, inotropic support, anaphylaxis. Effects: increases contractility,
increases HR, SVR, relaxes smooth muscle of bronchial tree, produces cardiac
stimulation. Side effects: tachycardia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, myocardial
, ischemia, dysthymias. Dosage: 0.05-1 mcg. Considerations : monitor blood
glucose, 2 min half life, never ivp unless dead , IM inject for anaphylactic
Vasopressin - CORRECT ANSWER-antidiuretic hormone. Indication :
hypotension, used as an adjunct when vasopressors and fluid resuscitation are
ineffective in maintaining goal BP/MAP. Effects: ADH causes vasoconstriction,
water retention and urine concentration in order to increase SVR. Side effects:
myocardial ischemia, abdominal cramps , nausea vomiting, confusion,
hyponatremia. Dosage: 0.01-0.04 units. Considerations: fixed dose, 10-20 mins half
life
Phenylalanine ( neo synephrine ) - CORRECT ANSWER-Alpha stimulant.
Indication: hypotension. Effects: produces systemic arterial vasoconstriction (
increases SVR ). Side effects : 0.25-5mcg. Considerations: Dr must be present or
responding to beside for ivp , admin thru central line ,5 min half life
Dopamine (Inotropin) Class - CORRECT ANSWER-Beta one and Alpha
stimulant. Indication: hypotension associated with shock bradycardia or heart
block unresponsive to atropine cardiac pacing. Effects: effects are related to dosage
low-dose 2-10 µg has Beto one stimulant increases contractility improves renal
perfusion. High dose 10-20 µg has alpha stimulant increases vasoconstriction and
BP. Side effects: tachycardia dysrhythmias angina vasoconstriction palpitations
headache. Dosage: 2-20 µg. Consideration: two minute half-life level to max dose
10 µg infuse via central line.
