Clinical Nurse Leader Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success

The primary action of beta-blockers primarily revolves around their effect on the heart's activity and rhythm. Beta-blockers work by blocking the effects of adrenaline on beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart. This leads to a reduction in heart rate and a decrease in the force of contraction of the cardiac muscle, which helps alleviate conditions such as palpitations.

By effectively reducing heart rate and controlling the heart's workload, beta-blockers can decrease the likelihood of dysrhythmias and improve overall cardiac stability. Their ability to stabilize heart rate is particularly beneficial during episodes of increased sympathetic stimulation, making them a common choice for managing palpitations and other arrhythmias.

Although other options mention effects related to heart rate and contractility, the most accurate description of the primary action of beta-blockers aligns with the overall mechanism by which they operate in managing symptoms like palpitations, particularly through the decrease in heart rate and risk of dysrhythmias.