In the treatment of shock, which vasoactive drug results in reduced preload and afterload, reducing the oxygen demand of the heart?

Nitropruside

Explanation:

Shock is a serious medical condition where oxygen levels in the body are low, causing a low blood pressure which can lead to organ damage and sometimes death. Shock can be caused by low blood volume or inadequate pumping action of the heart.

Nitropruside is a very potent vasodilator. It acts on the arterial and venous smooth muscles, causing smooth muscle relaxation and leading to decreased cardiac preload and afterload. A reduction in afterload gives rise to an increased cardiac output and blood supply to the cells is increased. This in turn reduces the need for the heart to pump more blood (a compensatory response by the heart due to the low oxygen levels), thereby reducing the oxygen demand of the heart.