LEC - 7.4 - Cardiotonic Drugs

Question 1

these drugs inhibit the sodium-potassium pump, thus increasing intracellular calcium, which causes the heart fibers to contract more efficiently

Answer 1

Cardiac Glycosides

Question 2

Action of Cardiac Glycosides:

Answer 2

They increase the strength or force of the contraction or pumping of the heart muscle.
They slow the heart rate.

Question 3

Increasing the strength of mycoardial contraction is called ___

Answer 3

positive inotropic action .

Question 4

Slowing down the heartbeat by depressing the SA node, reducing conduction of the impulse through the AV node, and slowing the heart rate is called the ___

Answer 4

negative chronotropic action.

Question 5

Uses of Cardiac Glycosides:

Answer 5

CHF
Atrial tachycardia
Atrial fibrillation
Atrial flutter

Question 6

Signs and Symptoms of Digoxin Toxicity

Answer 6

Double vision
Loss of appetite (early signs)
Nausea
Diarrhea
Bradycardia
Difficulty reading
Visual alterations such as green and yellow vision(late signs)
Seeing spots or halos

Question 7

Nursing Interventions

Answer 7

Consult with the prescriber about the need for a loading dose when beginning therapy

Monitor apical pulse for 1 full minute before administering the drug. Hold the dose if the pulse is less than 60 beats/min in an adult then retake pulse in 1 hour. If pulse remains low, document the pulse, withhold the drug, and notify the prescriber.

Arrange for the patient to be weighed at the same time each day, in the same clothes, to monitor for fluid retention and CHF.

Monitor the patient for therapeutic digoxin level (0.5 to 2 ng/ml).

Avoid administering the oral drug with food and antacids

Maintain emergency equipment on standby: potassium salts, lidocaine, phenytoin, atropine, and a cardiac monitor