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
