Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification Practice Exam 2025 - Free Cardiac Vascular Nursing Practice Questions and Study Guide

Norepinephrine is a crucial neurotransmitter and hormone that plays a significant role in the body's response to stress, often referred to as the "fight or flight" response. When norepinephrine is released into the bloodstream, it acts primarily on the alpha and beta receptors in the cardiovascular system.

The correct option indicates that norepinephrine increases heart rate and blood pressure. This effect occurs because norepinephrine stimulates beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart, leading to an increase in heart rate (positive chronotropic effect) and enhanced contractility (positive inotropic effect). Additionally, its action on the alpha-1 receptors causes vasoconstriction of blood vessels, resulting in increased systemic vascular resistance. Consequently, the combination of increased heart rate and vasoconstriction together elevates blood pressure.

In contrast, the other options reflect physiological responses that are not associated with norepinephrine's function in the body. For instance, a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure would typically be linked to other effects, such as those mediated by the parasympathetic nervous system, particularly via acetylcholine. Pupil constriction and increased digestion are also actions of the parasympathetic system, particularly mediated by other neurotransmitters, rather