Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

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Study for the EMT Intermediate Exam. Access detailed flashcards and multiple-choice questions that come with hints and explanations. Prepare comprehensively for your EMT certification!

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A medication with a positive chronotropic effect will do what?

Increase heart rate
Decrease heart rate
Stabilize blood pressure
Reduce anxiety levels

The correct answer is: Increase heart rate

A medication with a positive chronotropic effect is one that increases the heart rate. Chronotropic effects refer to changes in the heart rate, whereby a positive chronotropic effect specifically stimulates the heart to beat faster. This typically occurs through mechanisms that influence the electrical conduction system of the heart, including the sinoatrial (SA) node, which initiates the heartbeat. Examples of medications that can have a positive chronotropic effect include certain types of sympathomimetics or medications that act on beta-adrenergic receptors. By increasing heart rate, these medications can help improve cardiac output in situations where it is necessary to support circulation, especially in cases of shock, heart failure, or certain types of bradycardia. In contrast, medications with a negative chronotropic effect would decrease heart rate, while other answer choices related to stabilizing blood pressure or reducing anxiety levels pertain to different physiological processes that do not directly involve heart rate manipulation.