Answer :
Answer:
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)**
Explanation:
Atorvastatin is a medication primarily used to lower cholesterol levels in patients at risk for coronary artery disease. Its primary action is to inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a central role in the production of cholesterol in the liver. By inhibiting this enzyme, atorvastatin effectively reduces the level of cholesterol, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol because high levels of LDL are linked to an increased risk of coronary artery disease.
Among the options provided:
- **A. Prothrombin time (PT)** measures the time it takes for blood to clot and is not directly affected by atorvastatin.
- **B. High-density lipoprotein (HDL)** is often called "good" cholesterol, and while increasing HDL is beneficial, it is not the primary target of atorvastatin.
- **C. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)** is the primary target of atorvastatin. Lowering LDL is the main goal in reducing the risk of coronary artery disease.
- **D. Creatine phosphokinase (CPK)** is an enzyme found in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle. It is not a target of atorvastatin; however, increased levels can indicate muscle damage, which is a possible side effect of statins, but not the desired effect.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
**C. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)**
This value indicates that atorvastatin is having the desired effect if it shows reduced levels of LDL cholesterol in the patient’s blood.
