Treatment With Antiarrhythmics Flashcards
A deviation from the normal heartbeat pattern.
Cardiac Arrhythmias
Abnormal conduction of electrical signals through the heart muscle.
Cause if Cardiac Arrhythmia
— The heart sounds are different. Instead of the expected lub-dub, there may be extra beats or pauses or frequent changes in rate.
— Patients with rhythm problems may experience palpitations and signs of cardiac compromise (fatigue, fluid retention, pallor).
Signs/Symptoms of Cardiac Arrhythmia
Cardiac Arrhythmia is evaluated through cardiac monitoring with an ___________.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Research has shown that the use of antiarrhythmic drugs for _________________ arrhythmias actually _________ the risk of death.
Non-life threatening; increase
____________ arrhythmias that are not able to be
treated with cardioversion, ablation, or other non- pharmaceutical measures will be treated with ___________________.
Symptomatic; long- term medications
The drugs for cardiac arrhythmias are divided up into__________ through _________ based on the phase of the __________ process the drug impacts.
“Class I (1)”; “Class IV (4)”; conduction
Antiarrhythmic medications manipulate the ___________ of electrical signals to change the ___________ or cause the patient to go back into a _______ _______ ________.
conduction; heart rate; normal sinus rhythm
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Electrolytes – especially potassium (K+)
- Apical Heart Sounds – rate and rhythm
- Monitor for signs and symptoms of cardiac compromise.
Monitor: Antiarrhythmic Drugs
- Look up your drugs!
- These are potent medications, and the nurse should consult an evidence- based resource to review current recommendations before administering antiarrhythmics.
- Some antiarrhythmic medications interact with grapefruit juice, so review specific drug details to check for this interaction.
Do: antiarrhythmic drugs
— Teach the patient how to
check their heart rate; provide details regarding their target range; and when to call the provider for a high or low rate (i.e., tachycardia or bradycardia).
— Take as prescribed, even if feeling better.
Teach: Antiarrhythmic Drugs
The heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the demands of the body.
Congestive Heart Failure
________ failure is the most common type and
results in the inability to send adequate amounts of freshly oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.
Left-sided
Weakness of the heart muscle due to prior damage due to uncontrolled hypertension, myocardial infarct (heart attack), other cardiac and respiratory diseases.
CHF cause
- Edema of feet and lower legs
- Shortness of breath
- Fluid overload causing a cough with white frothy sputum, abnormal lung sounds
- Rapid weight gain (greater than 3 pounds in 24 hours)
Signs/Symptoms CHF
- Diuretics to manage the fluid overload
- Treat the underlying cause (antihypertensive treatment, other disease management)
- Medications to increase the contractility of the heart such as digoxin.
Treatment of CHF
Chest pain caused by inadequate blood flow within the heart muscle.
Angina
Coronary artery disease due to atherosclerosis.
Cause of Angina
- Pain radiating from the chest.
- Some people, especially females, may present with pain in the neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back, or abdomen.
- If untreated, leads to a myocardial infarction. o Risk factors –
▪ Smoking, sedentary lifestyle,
▪ Obesity
▪ Stress
▪ Family History of coronary artery disease
▪ Hypertension, Diabetes, Hyperlipidemia (high
cholesterol)
Signs/symptoms Angina
Heart catheterization with placement of a stent.
_______________ or PCCI is the medical term for this procedure.
treatment for angina
Percutaneous Coronary Catheter Intervention
- Medications such as nitrates
- Diet and exercise modifications.
- Coronary Bypass Surgery
Treatment of Angina
