A nurse is caring for a client who has variant angina and is prescribed verapamil. Which of the following are expected outcomes of this medication? (Select all that apply.)

Choice A rationale: Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker and is expected to decrease heart rate by inhibiting calcium influx into cardiac cells, particularly in the SA (sinoatrial) node, where it can slow down the heart's electrical impulses. Choice B rationale: Increased contractility is not an expected outcome of verapamil use. In fact, verapamil's main action is to decrease myocardial contractility, making it useful for treating conditions like angina and atrial fibrillation. Choice C rationale: Verapamil is known to dilate coronary arteries, which can improve blood flow to the heart muscle and relieve symptoms of angina. Choice D rationale: Reduced blood pressure is an expected outcome of verapamil use due to its vasodilatory effects on peripheral blood vessels. This can be beneficial in treating hypertension and angina. Choice E rationale: Relieved chest pain is an expected outcome of verapamil use, particularly in the case of variant angina (Prinzmetal's angina), as it helps to relax coronary arteries and reduce coronary artery spasm, which is a common cause of chest pain in this condition.