Cardiac Rhythm Drugs Flashcards
Exam 1
What are some non medicine interventions for SVT?
Vagal manoeuvres bearing down. breathe out with your stomach muscles but you don’t let air out of your nose or mouth. To stimulate the vagal nerve.
When should digoxin dose be held?
If adverse effects: digoxin toxicity include bradycardia, headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and visual disturbances (blurred vision or yellow vision).
What is a possible s/s of digoxin toxicity?
signs and symptoms of digoxin toxicity include bradycardia, headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and visual disturbances (blurred vision or yellow vision).
What does an increase in inotropic mean?
Increase in squeezing
What does digoxin to the cardiovascular system?
Slow HR down and HR good squeeze strong and have a good contraction with a lot of blood flow
Increase inotropic – mean squeezing
What should be included in the patient’s diet while taking digoxin?
High potassium foods
bananas, oranges, apricots, dates, raisins, broccoli, green beans, potatoes, tomatoes, meats, fish, wheat bread, legumes, green leafy vegetables
What should be monitored while taking digoxin?
Potassium levels because hypokalemia increase risk of digoxin toxicity
What is the therapeutic level range for digoxin?
0.5-0.8 ng/ml
What is the recommended heart rate threshold for holding a dose of digoxin?
<60 bpm
What are the potential side effects of digoxin?
Bradycardia, hypotension, cardiotoxicity, GI disturbances, fatigue, visual disturbances
What conditions can digoxin be used to treat?
Heart failure, Afib, A-flutter, SVT
What are the effects of digoxin on the heart?
Decreases electrical conduction through AV node, decreases automaticity in SA node, INCREASES myocardial contraction
Why would you ask a patient to bear down?
To relieve pressure in the chest and help return the heart to a normal rhythm
How is Adenosine given?
Closest to the heart, with an 18 G, and a 3 stopcock
What is the significance of given Adenosine in the AC?
It is given in the AC and above because it has an immediate on set of action, short half life, and very brief duration of action.
Where should adenosine be administered?
Give at site closest to heart
What is the recommended dosing regimen for adenosine?
Dose 1: 6mg rapid IVP followed by 20 ml rapid saline bolus, Dose 2: 12 mg rapid IVP followed by 20 ml rapid saline bolus, Dose 3: 12 mg rapid IVP followed by 20 ml rapid saline bolus
What should be done when administering adenosine?
Monitor the ECG. Effects usually last 1 min or less, have IV bolus prepared
What are the potential complications of adenosine?
Sinus brady, hypotension, dyspnea with bronchoconstriction, flushed face from vasodilation
What are the indications for using adenosine?
SVT or Wolff-Parkinson-white syndrome (WPW)
What is the mechanism of action of adenosine?
Decreases electrical conduction through the AV node and decreases automaticity in the SA node
What are some cardiovascular complications of amiodarone?
Hypotension, bradycardia, AV block
What is a potential complication of administering potassium channel blocker (amiodarone)?
Phlebitis (inflammation of a vein)
What are some complications of potassium channel blockers (amiodarone)?
Pulmonary toxicity, sinus brady, visual disturbances
Which types of dysrhythmias are targeted by potassium channel blockers (amiodarone)?
Afib, Vfib, vtach
Besides affecting the cardiac cycle, what other effect does a potassium channel blocker have?
It dilates blood vessels
What is the mechanism of action of a potassium channel blocker?
It delays repolarization
How do potassium channel blockers (amiodarone) affect the cardiac cycle?
By prolonging the action potential and refractory period of the cardiac cycle
What are the dosages given for potassium channel blocker (Amiodarone)?
Amiodarone 300 mg bolus if no pulse 150 if they do have pulse
T/F Vfib has a pulse?
False, Vfib never has a pulse
Why do you lay a patient flat when they have chest pain related to hypoxia?
To help heart move blood easier
How does chest pain relate to hypoxia?
Not getting good blood mvmt
Why is the MAP more important than BP in the ICU?
Look at BP less and MAP more
In case of beta blocker (lol) overdose or severe adverse effects what is done?
Fluid bolus given to increase volume and atropine given to increase heart rate
What are some complications of beta blockers (Propranolol)?
Bradycardia, weakness, heart failure, dizziness, hypotension, bronchospasm
What levels should the MAP of BP be at?
Greater than 65
What do beta blockers (Propranolol, esmolol, acebutolol) decrease?
Lowers HR and BP
What are the therapeutic uses of beta blockers?
Afib, aflutter, paroxysmal SVT, hypertension, angina, PVCs, severe recurrent ventricular tachycardia, exercise inducted tachycardias, paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
How do beta blockers (Propranolol, esmolol, acebutolol) work?
Preventing sympathetic nervous system stimulation of the heart
What are some examples of beta blockers?
Propranolol, esmolol, acebutolol
What are the symptoms that can occur when there is a drop in HR and BP?
Various symptoms
What are the complications associated with 1C sodium channel blockers (Propafenone, flecainide)?
Bradycardia, heart failure, dizziness, weakness, hypotension, bronchospasm
What are the complications associated with 1b sodium channel blockers (lidocaine)?
CNS Effects, Respiratory Arrest, Bradycardia, Hypotension
What is V tach?
Widening QRS
When should Sodium Channel Blockers 1A (Procainamide) be held in case of hypotension?
Hold med if patient is hypotensive
What are the monitoring and presenting symptoms of cardio toxicity caused by Sodium Channel Blockers 1A (Procainamide)?
Monitor for dysrhythmias (widened QRS); Procainamide level should be 4-10mcg/ml; (toxicity presents as confusion, drowsiness, vomiting)
How should neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and agranulocytosis be managed when caused by Sodium Channel Blockers 1A (Procainamide)?
CBC weekly for 12 weeks, then periodically; Watch for infection/bleeding; Stop with bone marrow suppression
What are the monitoring and interventions for Systemic Lupus Syndrome caused by Sodium Channel Blockers 1A (Procainamide)?
Monitor for butterfly rash, give NSAIDs PRN, discontinue for rising ANA titer
What are the complications of Sodium Channel Blockers 1A (Procainamide)?
Systemic Lupus Syndrome, Neutropenia/thrombocytopenia/agranulocytosis, Cardio toxicity, Hypotension