Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

In addition to regulating body water, what other effect does antidiuretic hormone (ADH) have?

1. Inotrope

2. Beta stimulator

3. Vasoconstrictor

4. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor

The correct answer is: Vasoconstrictor

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin, plays a crucial role in regulating not only body water but also vascular tone. When ADH is released into the bloodstream, it causes vasoconstriction, which increases peripheral vascular resistance and can lead to an increase in blood pressure. This property makes ADH an important hormone for maintaining hemodynamic stability, especially in conditions where blood volume and blood pressure need to be supported. The vasoconstrictor effect of ADH is particularly significant in response to hypovolemia or dehydration. When the body is dehydrated, the concentration of ADH increases, promoting water retention in the kidneys, which helps restore fluid balance. Simultaneously, the vasoconstrictor effect helps maintain blood pressure despite the potentially low blood volume. In the context of the other choices, inotrope refers to agents affecting the force of heart contractions, beta stimulators relate to adrenergic agonists affecting heart rate and contractility, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are involved in acid-base balance and are not related to the effects of ADH on water regulation or vascular function. Therefore, the choice of vasoconstrictor accurately reflects another important action of ADH