4.2 Antidysrhythmic agents Flashcards
Cardiac dysrhythmias are…
A disturbance in
- Electrical impulse formation
- Electrical impulse conduction
- or both
causes abnormal rhythms of the heart
Antidysrhythmic agents are…
Drugs used for the treatment and prevention of disturbances in cardiac rhythm
The Vaughan Williams classification is based on what?
the effect produced by the agent on the ‘action potential’
Class 1 (a,b,c) include which kind of drugs?
Sodium channel blockers
Class II include which kind of drugs?
Beta-Blocking agents
Class III drugs include which kind of drugs?
Drugs which increase the action potential duration
Class IV drugs include which kind of drugs?
Calcium channel blockers
Quinidine and lidocaine are in which drug class?
Class I
Atenolol and Metoprolol are in which drug class?
Class II
Amiodarone is in which drug class?
Class III
Diltiazem is in which drug class?
Class IV
Atrial fibrillation, premature atrial contractions, premature ventricular contractions, ventricular tachycardia, and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome are the indications for which drug class?
Class Ia
ventricular dysrhythmias are the only indication for which drug class?
Class Ib
severe ventricular dysrhythmias, and occasionally in atrial fibrillation/flutter, are the indications for which drug class?
Class Ic
Which drug class contains general myocardial depressants for both supraventricular and ventricular dysrhythmias?
Class II
Class III drugs are used to treat…
Dysrhythmias that are difficult to treat
- Life-threatening ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, atrial fibrillation or flutter—resistant to other drugs
- Sustained ventricular tachycardia
Class IV drugs are used to treat…
paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia; rate control for atrial fibrillation and flutter
Side effects of antidysrhythmics include…
N&V
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Headache
Before administering any antidysrhythmics, what must be assessed?
- Drug and medical history
- Allergies and other contraindications
- Baseline vitals, I&O, cardiac rhythm
- Serum K+ levels
During the treatment, what must be assessed?
Assess general well-being: skin colour, temperature, heart and breath sounds
SOB, edema, angina, dizziness
Assess serum drug levels
Monitor cardiac rhythm, HR, BP
T/F antidysrhythmics can be crushed or chewed?
False, especially if they are sustained release
Clients should report what symptoms to the nurse?
SOB
edema
GI distress
dizziness
syncope (signs of fluid overload/imbalance)
Clients should report a weight gain of >__kg/__day or >___kg/__week just at the beginning
1kg/1 day
> 2kg/1 week
What are some therapeutic effects of antidysrhythmics?
Decrease BP in hypertensive clients
Decreased edema
Decreased chest discomfort
Regular pulse rhythm and rate
Improved cardiac output
- Decreased fatigue
- Improved vital signs
- Improved urinary output
- Improved skin colour/turgor
