What is one of the primary actions of Lidocaine?

Lidocaine primarily acts as a Class 1b antiarrhythmic medication. Its main function is to reduce automaticity in the ventricles, making it particularly effective in treating and preventing ventricular arrhythmias. By stabilizing the cardiac cell membranes and decreasing the excitability of the cardiac tissue, Lidocaine helps to control abnormal electrical activity that can lead to dangerous heart rhythms. This action is crucial in clinical situations such as during ventricular tachycardia or after a myocardial infarction, where stabilizing the heart's rhythm is vital for patient safety and recovery.

The other options do not accurately describe Lidocaine's primary actions. While increasing cardiac output and stimulating the sympathetic response might be associated with other medications or physiological responses related to heart function, they do not pertain to Lidocaine's mechanism of action. Moreover, Lidocaine does not increase heart rate; instead, it primarily functions to manage arrhythmias and restore normal rhythm, which can sometimes lead to a more stable heart rate.