Question

How would drug onset and duration of action be affected in a patient with heart failure (low cardiac output)?

A. Speed drug onset
B. Increase metabolism of the drug
C. Shorten the duration of action
D. Slow the onset

Answer 1

In a patient with heart failure and low cardiac output, the drug onset can be slower and the duration of action can be shorter.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient has heart failure and low cardiac output, the drug onset and duration of action can be affected in the following ways:

• Speed drug onset: The reduced cardiac output can lead to decreased blood flow, resulting in slower drug absorption and slower onset of action.
• Shorten the duration of action: The decreased cardiac output can also result in reduced distribution of the drug to the target tissues, leading to a shorter duration of action.

These effects are primarily due to the compromised circulation in heart failure patients, which affects the delivery and distribution of drugs in the body.