FPGEE for National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Practice Exam

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Which class of drugs are inotropic agents?

  1. Drugs that lower blood pressure

  2. Drugs that stimulate the heart

  3. Drugs that prevent blood clotting

  4. Drugs that relieve pain

The correct answer is: Drugs that stimulate the heart

Inotropic agents are defined as drugs that affect the force or energy of muscular contractions, particularly in the heart. The primary action of these drugs is to stimulate the heart muscle, leading to increased cardiac output. This is particularly important in conditions such as heart failure, where the heart's ability to pump blood effectively is compromised. By enhancing cardiac contractility, inotropic agents help improve symptoms and overall cardiac function. The other options describe different classes of drugs with distinct mechanisms and therapeutic uses. For instance, medications that lower blood pressure primarily work by reducing vascular resistance or blood volume, while those that prevent blood clotting focus on inhibiting the coagulation cascade. Drugs that relieve pain are categorized as analgesics and function through various mechanisms to reduce the perception of pain. Each of these classes serves unique roles in medical treatment, making it clear why the class of drugs that stimulate the heart is the correct answer concerning inotropic agents.