Deck 25: Antidysrhythmic Drugs

Question 1

When starting a patient on antidysrhythmic therapy, the nurse will remember that which problem is a potential adverse effect of any antidysrhythmic drug?

A) Deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Heart failure
D) Dysrhythmias

Answer 1

Dysrhythmias

Question 2

A patient will be discharged on quinidine sulfate (Quinidex) extended-release tablets for the treatment of ventricular ectopy. The nurse will include which information in the teaching plan?

A) The medication should be stopped once the cardiac symptoms subside.
B) Signs of cinchonism, such as tinnitus, loss of hearing, or slight blurring of vision, may occur.
C) It is important to use sunscreen products when outside because of increased photosensitivity.
D) If any tablet or capsule is visible in the stool, contact the prescriber immediately.

Answer 2

Signs of cinchonism, such as tinnitus, loss of hearing, or slight blurring of vision, may occur.

Question 3

Which patient-teaching instructions are appropriate for a patient taking an antidysrhythmic drug? (Select all that apply.)

A) "Do not chew or crush extended-release forms of medication."
B) "Take the medication with food if gastrointestinal distress occurs."
C) "If a dose is missed, the missed dose should be taken along with the next dose that is due to be taken."
D) "Take the medications with an antacid if gastrointestinal distress occurs."
E) "Limit or avoid the use of caffeine."
F) "The presence of a capsule in the stool should be reported to the physician immediately."

Answer 3

"Do not chew or crush extended-release forms of medication."
"Take the medication with food if gastrointestinal distress occurs."
"Limit or avoid the use of caffeine."

Question 4

Which nursing diagnosis is appropriate for a patient receiving antidysrhythmics?

A) Risk for infection
B) Deficient knowledge
C) Deficient fluid volume
D) Urinary retention

Question 5

A patient is in the intensive care unit because of an acute myocardial infarction. He is experiencing severe ventricular dysrhythmias. The nurse will prepare to give which drug of choice for this dysrhythmia?

A) diltiazem ( Cardizem )
B) verapamil ( Calan )
C) amiodarone ( Cordarone )
D) adenosine ( Adenocard )

Question 6

The nurse is monitoring for adverse effects in a patient who is receiving an amiodarone ( Cordarone ) infusion. Which are adverse effects for amiodarone? (Select all that apply.)

A) Tachycardia
B) Constipation
C) Chest pain
D) QT prolongation
E) Headache
F) Hypotension
G) Blue-gray coloring of the skin on the face, arms, and neck

Question 7

A patient has been started on therapy of a continuous infusion of lidocaine after receiving a loading dose of the drug. The nurse will monitor the patient for which adverse effect?

A) Drowsiness
B) Nystagmus
C) Dry mouth
D) Convulsions

Question 8

The nurse notes in the patient's medication orders that the patient will be taking ibutilide (Corvert). Based on this finding, the nurse interprets that the patient has which disorder?

A) Ventricular ectopy
B) Atrial fibrillation
C) Supraventricular tachycardia
D) Bradycardia

Question 9

A 62-year-old man is to receive lidocaine as treatment for a symptomatic dysrhythmia. Upon assessment, the nurse notes that he has a history of alcoholism and has late-stage liver failure. The nurse will expect which adjustments to his drug therapy?

A) The dosage will be reduced by 50%.
B) A diuretic will be added to the lidocaine.
C) The lidocaine will be changed to an oral dosage form.
D) An increased dosage of lidocaine will be prescribed so as to obtain adequate blood levels.

Question 10

The nurse is preparing to administer adenosine ( Adenocard ) to a patient who is experiencing an acute episode of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. When giving this medication, which is important to remember?

A) The onset of action occurs in 5 minutes.
B) The medication must be given as a slow intravenous ( IV ) push.
C) Asystole may occur for a few seconds after administration.
D) The medication has a long half-life, and therefore duration of action is very long.

Question 11

A patient is taking procainamide (Pronestyl) for a cardiac dysrhythmia. The nurse will monitor the patient for which possible adverse effect?

A) Bradycardia
B) Shortened QT interval
C) Dyspnea
D) Diarrhea

Question 12

The nurse is preparing to administer a bolus dose of verapamil (Calan) as follows:
"Give 5-mg bolus of verapamil, IV push, over 2 minutes. May repeat in 30 minutes if needed." The medication is available in a 2.5-mg/mL strength solution. How many milliliters will the nurse draw into the syringe for this dose?

Question 13

The nurse is reviewing the classes of antidysrhythmic drugs. Amiodarone (Cordarone) is classified on the Vaughan Williams classification as a class III drug, which means it works by which mechanism of action?

A) Blocking slow calcium channels
B) Prolonging action potential duration
C) Blocking sodium channels and affecting phase 0
D) Decreasing spontaneous depolarization and affecting phase 4

Question 14

A patient is in the emergency department with a new onset of rapid-rate atrial fibrillation, and the nurse is preparing a continuous infusion. Which drug is most appropriate for this dysrhythmia?

A) diltiazem ( Cardizem )
B) atenolol ( Tenormin )
C) lidocaine
D) adenosine ( Adenocard )