Heart Rhythms + Meds

Question 1

What are Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) commonly compared to?

Answer 1

Valium for the heart

CCBs relax and slow down the heart.

Question 2

What are the three negative effects of CCBs on the heart?

Answer 2

• Negative inotropy
• Negative chronotropy
• Negative dromotropy

These effects weaken myocardial contraction, decrease heart rate, and reduce conduction velocity.

Question 3

What is positive inotropy?

Answer 3

Increase in cardiac contractile force

This leads to more complete ventricular emptying and improved cardiac output.

Question 4

What does positive chronotropy refer to?

Answer 4

Increase rate of impulse formation at the SA node

This accelerates heart rate.

Question 5

What is the definition of positive dromotropy?

Answer 5

Increase speed of impulses from SA node to AV node

This results in increased conduction velocity.

Question 6

When are CCBs indicated for use?

Answer 6

• Antihypertensive
• AntiAnginal
• AntiAtrialArrhythmia

CCBs help decrease oxygen demand and manage hypertension.

Question 7

What are common side effects of Calcium Channel Blockers?

Answer 7

• Headache
• Hypotension

These are common adverse effects associated with CCBs.

Question 8

What is the common suffix for medications that are Calcium Channel Blockers?

Answer 8

Ends in ‘dipine’

Examples include amlodipine, but not all CCBs follow this rule (e.g., verapamil).

Question 9

What parameters should be assessed before starting a patient on CCBs?

Answer 9

• Assess BP
• Hold if SBP <100

Blood pressure assessment is crucial to ensure patient safety.

Question 10

What must nurses know about cardiac rhythms when administering CCBs?

Answer 10

Must know how to interpret rhythm

Understanding cardiac rhythms is essential for monitoring patients on CCBs.

Question 11

What is the purpose of Cardizem (diltiazem) in CCB therapy?

Answer 11

Given as a continuous IV drip

Cardizem is often used in acute settings for rapid control of heart rate.

Question 12

What is Normal Sinus Rhythm characterized by?

Answer 12

A P wave followed by a QRS followed by a T wave for every complex

The peaks of the P wave are equally distant from the QRS and fall within 5 small boxes.

Question 13

What does Ventricular Fibrillation look like?

Answer 13

No pattern

Question 14

What is the appearance of Ventricular Tachycardia?

Answer 14

Sharp peaks with a pattern

Question 15

What does Asystole represent on an ECG?

Answer 15

A flat line

Question 16

What does QRS depolarization indicate?

Answer 16

Ventricular activity

Question 17

What does a P wave represent?

Answer 17

Atrial activity

Question 18

What are the three levels of nursing knowledge?

Answer 18

• Stuff you need to know
• Stuff that is nice to know
• Stuff that is nuts to know

Question 19

What is Asystole characterized by?

Answer 19

A lack of QRS complexes

Asystole is essentially a flat line on the ECG.

Question 20

What does a saw tooth wave pattern of P waves indicate?

Answer 20

Atrial flutter

Question 21

What does chaotic P wave patterns signify?

Answer 21

Atrial fibrillation (a-fib)

Chaotic is the term used to describe the irregular rhythm of fibrillation.

Question 22

What does chaotic QRS complexes indicate?

Answer 22

Ventricular fibrillation (v-fib)

Question 23

What are bizarre QRS complexes associated with?

Answer 23

Ventricular tachycardia (v-tach)

Bizarre is the term used to describe the irregular appearance of tachycardia.

Question 24

What does periodic wide bizarre QRS complexes represent?

Answer 24

PVCs (Premature Ventricular Contractions)

Salvos of PVCs refer to short runs of ventricular tachycardia.

Question 25

What are the three circumstances under which PVCs are elevated to moderate priority?

Answer 25

1. 6 or more PVCs in a minute
2. More than 6 PVCs in a row
3. R on T phenomenon

Question 26

What are the two lethal arrhythmias that can kill a patient in 8 minutes or less?

Answer 26

1. Asystole
2. Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib)

Question 27

What is the consequence of low or no cardiac output (CO) due to lethal arrhythmias?

Answer 27

Inadequate or no brain perfusion, which may lead to confusion and death

Question 28

Is ventricular tachycardia (V-tach) considered lethal?

Answer 28

Yes, it is potentially lethal but it has cardiac output

Question 29

How does a patient present with absent cardiac output?

Answer 29

There is no pulse

Question 30

How does a patient present with present cardiac output?

Answer 30

There is a pulse

Question 31

What is the treatment for PVCs and V-tach?

Answer 31

Lidocaine

Question 32

What is the medication that NCLEX boards may eventually want as the answer for treating ventricular rhythms?

Answer 32

Amiodarone

Question 33

What are the treatments for supraventricular arrhythmias?

Answer 33

1. Adenocard (Adenosine)
2. Beta-blockers
3. Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)
4. Digitalis (digoxin, Lanoxin)

Question 34

What is the administration method for Adenosine (Adenocard)?

Answer 34

Fast IV push (less than 8 seconds) followed by 20 mL NS flush

Question 35

What are the negative effects of beta-blockers on the heart?

Answer 35

Negative inotropic, chronotropic, and dromotropic effects

Question 36

What do beta-blockers treat?

Answer 36

1. Antihypertensive
2. AntiAnginal drugs
3. AntiAtrialArythmia

Question 37

What are common side effects of beta-blockers?

Answer 37

Headache and hypotension

Question 38

What is the treatment for Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib)?

Answer 38

Defibrillation

Question 39

What are the medications used for treating Asystole?

Answer 39

Epinephrine and Atropine

Question 40

Fill in the blank: Treatment of ventricular arrhythmias includes _______ and Amiodarone.

Answer 40

Lidocaine