Sodium nitroprusside is administered while awaiting definitive surgical therapy

An 82-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by ambulance. His temperature is 37.2°C (99.0°F), pulse is 115/min, blood pressure is 88/55 mm Hg, and respiratory rate is 26/min. He reports that he had a myocardial infarction about 7 days prior. On physical examination, he appears obtunded and pale. Bilateral rales are auscultated, and a new holosystolic murmur is heard at the apex of the heart, radiating to the axilla. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure is increased. Sodium nitroprusside is administered while awaiting definitive surgical therapy.

Sodium nitroprusside is an optimal treatment for this patient because of which of the following properties?

A. It decreases atrioventricular node conduction
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B. It decreases heart contractility

C. It increases venous return
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D. It reduces afterload

E. It supports rapid healing of cardiac tissue