Questions: Which medication is used to decrease afterload in a patient with pulmonary edema? A. Morphine sulfate B. Dobutamine C. Dopamine D. Nitroprusside

The answer is the fourth one (D): Nitroprusside.

Explanation for each option:

A. Morphine sulfate: This medication is primarily used for pain relief and to reduce anxiety. It can also help reduce preload by causing venodilation, but it is not primarily used to decrease afterload.

B. Dobutamine: This is a positive inotropic agent that increases cardiac output by enhancing the contractility of the heart. It is not primarily used to decrease afterload.

C. Dopamine: This medication can increase cardiac output and blood pressure by stimulating dopaminergic and adrenergic receptors. It is not specifically used to decrease afterload.

D. Nitroprusside: This is a potent vasodilator that acts on both arteries and veins, leading to a significant reduction in afterload. It is commonly used in the management of acute heart failure and conditions like pulmonary edema to decrease afterload and improve cardiac output.

Summary: Nitroprusside is the medication used to decrease afterload in a patient with pulmonary edema.