Qualified Medication Aides Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Test Preparation

Digoxin is classified as a cardiotonic because it is specifically used to enhance the force of heart contractions, which is essential for conditions like heart failure and certain types of arrhythmias. It increases the output of the heart, thereby improving circulation and cardiac efficiency. This effect is particularly beneficial in patients with weakened heart function, as it helps to manage symptoms and improve exercise tolerance.

Other medications listed serve different purposes: diuretics like furosemide help remove excess fluid from the body and decrease blood pressure, while captopril is an ACE inhibitor that lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that primarily reduces heart rate and blood pressure, focusing on lowering the workload on the heart rather than directly increasing its contractility. These distinctions underscore why digoxin is specifically recognized as a cardiotonic, making it the correct answer in this context.