Unit6: Chapter 45 (Karch 7th Ed) - Antiarrhythmic Agents Flashcards
- A patient with a history of atrial fibrillation has had a worsening of his or her condition. The nurse
knows that the drug of choice for long-term stabilization of atrial fibrillation following
electrocardioversion is what?
A) Disopyramide (Norpace)
B) Moricizine (Ethmozine)
C) Procainamide (Pronestyl)
D) Quinidine (generic)
Ans: D
Feedback:
Quinidine is often the drug of choice for long-term stabilization of atrial fibrillation after the rhythm is
converted by electrocardioversion. Quinidine is a class I antiarrhythmic and stabilizes the cell
membrane by binding to sodium channels, depressing phase 0 of the action potential, and changing the
duration of the action potential. Disopyramide, moricizine, and procainamide are all used in the
treatment of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias
- What class of antiarrhythmics drug blocks potassium channels, prolonging phase 3 of the action
potential and slowing the rate and conduction of the heart?
A) I
B) II
C) III
D) IV
Ans: C
Feedback:
The class III antiarrhythmics block potassium, prolonging phase 3 of the action potential, which
prolongs repolarization and slows the rate and conduction of the heart. Class I drugs block the sodium
channels in the cell membrane during an action potential. Class II drugs are beta-adrenergic blockers
that block beta-receptors, causing a depression of phase 4 of the action potential. Class IV drugs block
calcium channels in the cell membrane leading to a depression of depolarization and a prolongation of phases I and II of repolarization, which slows automaticity
- The nurse is caring for a pediatric patient who has been diagnosed with paroxysmal atrial tachycardia.
The order reads digoxin 10 mcg/kg orally. The child weighs 44 pounds. How many mcg will the nurse
administer?
A) 50 mcg
B) 100 mcg
C) 150 mcg
D) 200 mcg
Ans: D
Feedback:
The nurse will administer 200 mcg. (2.2 pounds: 1 kg = X: 20 kg, 20(10) = 200 mcg).
- The nurse is providing drug teaching about quinidine in preparation for the patient’s discharge. The
nurse discusses drug food interactions and advises the patient to drink what?
A) Apple juice
B) Grapefruit juice
C) Milk
D) Orange juice
Ans: A
Feedback:
Apple juice would be the best choice. Quinidine requires a slightly acidic urine (normal state) for
excretion. Patients receiving quinidine should avoid foods that alkalinize the urine (e.g., citrus juices,
vegetables, antacids, milk products), which could lead to increased quinidine levels and toxicity.
Grapefruit juice has been shown to interfere with the metabolism of quinidine, leading to increased
serum levels and toxic effects; this combination should be avoided.
- A patient has had sotalol (Betapace) ordered for treatment of a ventricular arrhythmia. What will the
nurse consider when administering the drug?
A) Sotalol has a very short duration of action
B) Food increases the bioavailability of the drug
C) Absorption of sotalol is decreased by the presence of food
D) The drug is best administered intramuscularly
Ans: C
Feedback:
This drug should not be taken with food because absorption is decreased. The drug should be given 1
hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Adenosine, not sotalol, has a very short duration of action and food
increases the bioavailability of propranolol. Sotalol is administered by oral route only.
- The nurse is caring for a patient who reports insomnia since starting the antiarrhythmic agent
prescribed for him or her. What antiarrhythmic agent would the nurse expect this patient is taking?
A) Disopyramide (Norpace)
B) Amiodarone (Cordarone)
C) Procainamide (Pronestyl)
D) Propranolol (Inderal)
Ans: D
Feedback:
Class II antiarrhythmics can cause insomnia. The adverse effects associated with class II
antiarrhythmics are related to the effects of blocking beta-receptors in the sympathetic nervous system.
CNS effects include dizziness, insomnia, unusual dreams, and fatigue. Disopyramide and procainamide
are class I agents and do not cause insomnia. Amiodarone is a class III drug and is not associated with
insomnia.
- A patient with impaired renal function is to receive dofetilide (Tikosyn) for conversion of atrial
fibrillation. What is the nurse’s priority assessment before administering the drug?
A) Check the patient’s creatinine level.
B) Measure the urine output.
C) Listen to breath sounds
D) Measure the PR interval on the electrocardiogram
Ans: A
Feedback:
When giving dofetilide to a patient with renal dysfunction, the dosage must be calculated according to
the patient’s creatinine level to ensure the therapeutic effect while limiting toxicity. This drug can only
be administered by oral route. Intake and output as well as breath sounds may need to be assessed but
are not rela
- A nurse is caring for a patient who has had disopyramide (Norpace), ordered. Before administering
disopyramide (Norpace) what is the nurse’s priority action to maintain safety?
A) Offer the patient something to drink.
B) Ask the patient if he or she needs to void.
C) Raise all side rails.
D) Place the call button within reach
Ans: C
Feedback:
When administering disopyramide, the nurse should make sure that all side-rails are up. The central
nervous system effects of the drug can include dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, twitching, mouth
numbness, slurred speech, vision changes, and tremors that can progress to convulsions. The other three
options are appropriate and placing the call button within reach can also be considered a safety
measure; however nothing has a higher priority than raising the bed’s side-rails.
- The nurse sees a patient in an outpatient setting who is given a new prescription for an antiarrhythmic
medication to treat premature atrial contractions (PAC). The nurse has limited time with the patient and
addresses what priority nursing diagnosis?
A) Decreased cardiac output
B) Alteration in comfort
C) Deficient knowledge
D) Potential for injury
Ans: C
Feedback:
The patient received a new prescription and needs information about how to take the medication, when
to call the provider, and potential adverse effects so the priority nursing diagnosis is deficient
knowledge. It is unknown what arrhythmia the patient is treating and without this information it is
impossible to know what the impact on cardiac output, comfort and potential for injury may be.
- You are caring for a patient who takes an antiarrhythmic agent. What would be a priority nursing
assessment before administering this drug?
A) Assess mental status.
B) Assess breath sounds.
C) Assess pulses and blood pressure.
D) Assess urine output.
Ans: C
Feedback:
The nurse should continually monitor cardiac rate and rhythm when administering an antiarrhythmic
agent to detect potentially serious adverse effects and to evaluate drug effectiveness. All of the other
options are appropriate assessments but are not the priority assessment
- The nurse is caring for a patient receiving propranolol. What problems, reported by the patient, does the
nurse suspect is caused by the drug? (Select all that apply.)
A) Seizures
B) Rash
C) Atrioventricular (AV) block
D) Bronchospasm
E) Dreams
Ans: C, D, E
Feedback:
The adverse effects associated with class II antiarrhythmics are related to the effects of blocking beta- receptors in the sympathetic nervous system. Central nervous system effects include dizziness,
insomnia, unusual dreams, and fatigue. Cardiovascular symptoms can include hypotension,
bradycardia, AV block, arrhythmias, and alterations in peripheral perfusion. Respiratory effects can
include bronchospasm and dyspnea. GI problems frequently include nausea, vomiting, anorexia,
constipation, and diarrhea. Other effects to anticipate include a loss of libido, decreased exercise
tolerance, and alterations in blood glucose levels. Seizures and rash are not usually associated with the
adverse effects of propranolol
12. The nurse teaches the patient receiving propranolol (Inderal) at home for management of a ventricular dysrhythmia to monitor what parameter? A) Daily fluid intake B) Daily blood pressure C) Weekly weight D) Weekly pulse
Ans: B
Feedback:
Hypotension can occur with propranolol, which is a beta-blocker, so patients should check their blood
pressure and pulse every day. Propranolol does not require that fluid intake be measured. propranolol
also will not require daily weight taking, but it may be necessary with a diagnosis of propranolol.
- The emergency department nurse is administering IV lidocaine to a patient. What adverse effect of
lidocaine therapy should the nurse assess for?
A) Dysphagia
B) Dizziness
C) Excessive bruising
D) Tinnitus
Ans: B
Feedback:
Adverse effects include dizziness, light-headedness, fatigue, arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, nausea,
vomiting, anaphylactoid reactions, hypotension, and vasodilation. Dysphagia, bruising, and tinnitus are
not usually associated with lidocaine.
14. The nurse administers a bolus of lidocaine and follows it with a continuous infusion at what rate? A) 0.25 to 0.75 mg/min B) 1 to 4 mg/min C) 6 to 8 mg/min D) 10 to 20 mg/min
Ans: B
Feedback:
Lidocaine may be delivered at 1 to 4 mg/min after a bolus. Therefore, the other options are incorrect
15. The nurse administers what drug to terminate supraventricular tachycardia? A) Lidocaine (Lidocaine Parenteral) B) Flecainide (Tambocor) C) Adenosine (Adenocard) D) Dronedarone (Multaq)
Ans: C
Feedback:
Adenosine depresses conduction at the atrioventricular node and is used to restore NSR (normal sinus
rhythm) in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Adenosine is used to treat
supraventricular tachycardias, including those caused by the use of alternate conduction pathways in
adults. Lidocaine is used to treat life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias during myocardial infarction
or cardiac surgery; it is also used as a bolus injection in emergencies when monitoring is not available
to document exact arrhythmia. Flecainide is used to treat life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias in
adults; prevention of paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT) in symptomatic patients with no structural
heart defect. Dronedarone is used to treat paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter in
patients with multiple risk factors for coronary artery disease who are currently in sinus rhythm or
scheduled for conversion.
- For what condition would the nurse expect to administer lidocaine via IV drip?
A) Decrease in arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2)
B) Increase in blood pressure
C) Multiple premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)
D) Increase in intracranial pressure (ICP)
Ans: C
Feedback:
Lidocaine drips are indicated for the treatment of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias such as long
or frequent runs of PVCs. Lidocaine would not be indicated for the treatment of hypoxia, hypertension,
or increased ICP.
- The nurse is caring for a patient who takes an antiarrhythmic agent and is reporting a complete lack of
appetite. Which cardiac antiarrhythmic agent would the nurse suspect the patient is taking?
A) Diltiazem (Cardizem)
B) Propranolol (Inderal)
C) Lidocaine (Lidocaine Parenteral)
D) Amiodarone (Cordarone)
Ans: B
Feedback:
Propranolol frequently causes gastrointestinal (GI) problems such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia,
constipation, and diarrhea. Diltiazem could cause nausea and vomiting but would not cause anorexia.
Lidocaine can lead to changes in taste, nausea, and vomiting but does not cause anorexia. Amiodarone
has adverse effects including nausea, vomiting, GI distress, weakness, dizziness, hypotension, heart
failure, arrhythmia, a potentially fatal liver toxicity, and ocular abnormalities but does not cause
anorexia.
- A 92-year-old patient is being sent home on disopyramide (Norpace) for a ventricular arrhythmia. He
asks the nurse why he must continue to take this drug. The nurse’s best response would be that failure
to treat a ventricular arrhythmia may what?
A) Lead to renal failure
B) Result in hypertension
C) Result in death
D) Cause heart failure
Ans: C
Feedback:
Ventricular arrhythmias cause a dramatic reduction in cardiac output and will result in death if not
treated. The patient needs to be taught the importance of taking his medication every day as ordered.
Generally, ventricular arrhythmias are not associated with renal failure, hypertension, or heart failure.
- The nurse is providing drug teaching for a patient who is to be discharged taking dofetilide (Tikosyn).
What drug will the nurse teach the patient to avoid due to a drug-drug interaction?
A) Cimetidine
B) Furosemide
C) Acetaminophen
D) Antacids
Ans: A
Feedback:
There is an increased risk of serious adverse effects if dofetilide is combined with ketoconazole,
cimetidine, or verapamil, so these combinations should be avoided. There is no known increased risk
associated with furosemide, acetaminophen, or antacids but other specific drug drug interaction are
reported, so it is important to check a current drug handbook before administering these medications.
- The patient asks the nurse, Will I have to take this antiarrhythmic agent for the rest of my life? The
nurse, having reviewed the CAST study, responds by saying what?
A) Yes, you will have to take this drug for life.
B) The drug is indicated for short-term treatment of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.
C) This drug may need to be changed but you’ll take an antiarrhythmic for life.
D) After the arrhythmia is corrected, the drug will be stopped.
Ans: B
Feedback: The CAST study, a large research study run by the National Heart and Lung Institute, found that longterm
treatment of arrhythmias may have an uncertain effect on mortality, and in some cases may
actually lead to increased cardiac death, which is the basis for the current indication for antiarrhythmics
to be used only short-term to treat life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias
21. What patient factor would result in the nurse administering a reduced dosage of disopyramide (Norpace)? A) Dehydration B) Hypertension C) Renal impairment D) Chronic diarrhea
Ans: C
Feedback:
Caution should be used with renal or hepatic dysfunction, which could interfere with the
biotransformation and excretion of these drugs. Caution is not indicated with the findings of
dehydration, hypertension, or chronic diarrhea.
- The nurse is administering an intravenous infusion of amiodarone (Cordarone). What should the nurse
be aware of?
A) The possible drug drug interaction with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
B) The possible development of very serious cardiac arrhythmias
C) The possible development of peripheral edema
D) The possible development of a fatal renal toxicity
Ans: B
Feedback:
Amiodarone has been associated with a potentially fatal liver toxicity rather than a renal toxicity, ocular
abnormalities, and the development of very serious cardiac arrhythmias. Sotalol may have a loss of
effectiveness if combined with NSAIDs. Diltiazem is associated with peripheral edema.
- The nurse reviews the patient’s medical history and determines class II antiarrhythmics are
contraindicated due to the patient’s history of what condition?
A) Asthma
B) Colitis
C) Migraine headache
D) Antidiarrheals
Ans: A
Feedback:
Class II antiarrhythmics are contraindicated in patients with asthma because they could worsen the
condition due to blockage of beta-receptors. They are not contraindicated in patients with colitis,
migraine headache, or diarrhea.
- What would the nurse teach the diabetic patient to monitor for when beginning a class II
antidysrhythmic drug regimen in addition to insulin?
A) Weight loss
B) Reduced peripheral perfusion
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Exercise intolerance
Ans: C
Feedback:
Increased hypoglycemia is possible if these drugs are combined with insulin; so patients should be
taught to monitor their blood sugar levels often. Recurrent hypoglycemic episodes may indicate the
need to reduce insulin dosage, but this advice would need to come from the health care provider. Class
II antiarrhythmic drugs are normally not associated with weight loss, reduced peripheral perfusion, or
exercise intolerance.