Paramedic National Registry Practice

What is the standard pharmacological treatment for CHF?

1. Nitroglycerin, Lasix, and Morphine

2. Nitro, Lasix, and Magnesium Sulfate

3. Aspirin, Diuretics, and Digoxin

4. Furosemide, Atorvastatin, and Metoprolol

The correct answer is: Nitro, Lasix, and Magnesium Sulfate

The standard pharmacological treatment for congestive heart failure (CHF) typically includes diuretics to help manage fluid overload, vasodilators to improve heart function and reduce cardiac workload, and sometimes additional agents depending on the patient's specific needs. Among the options provided, the combination of nitroglycerin (a vasodilator), lasix (a diuretic), and magnesium sulfate is a reasonable choice. Nitroglycerin helps to relieve the symptoms of heart failure by dilating blood vessels, which can decrease the heart's workload and improve perfusion. Lasix, or furosemide, is crucial for rapidly removing excess fluid from the body, thus alleviating symptoms such as shortness of breath and edema, which are common in CHF. Magnesium sulfate can play a role in the management of arrhythmias that may accompany heart failure and is sometimes used in acute settings for patients with low magnesium levels or in cases of severe exacerbations. The other options contain combinations of medications that do not align as closely with the standard treatment protocols for CHF. For example, digoxin (found in option C) is sometimes used in CHF to improve contractility, but it is not typically first-line, and the combination of atorvastatin and metoprol