Deck 18: Drugs for Dysrhythmias

Question 1

The pharmacist teaches the patient that which diseases are associated with dysrhythmias?
(Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

A) Arthritis
B) Hypertension
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Myocardial infarction
E) Diabetes

Answer 1

Hypertension
Hyperkalemia
Myocardial infarction

Question 2

The flow of the electrical impulse through a normal functioning heart is in this order:

A) AV node to SA node to Bundle of His to Purkinje fibers
B) AV node to SA node to Bundle of His to Right and Left Branches to Purkinje fibers
C) SA node to AV node to Bundle of His to Purkinje fibers to Right and Left Branches
D) SA node to AV node to Bundle of His to Right and Left Branches to Purkinje fibers

Answer 2

SA node to AV node to Bundle of His to Right and Left Branches to Purkinje fibers

Question 3

An action potential begins when sodium ion channels located in the plasma membrane open and Na+ rushes into the cell, producing :

A) A relaxation of the atria and ventricles
B) A rapid depolarization
C) A rapid repolarization
D) A refractory period

Answer 3

A rapid depolarization

Question 4

The physician has ordered a non-pharmacologic therapy for a patient diagnosed with bradycardia. The pharmacist anticipates what to be ordered for this patient?

A) Defibrillation
B) Cardiac pacemakers
C) Cardioversion
D) Increased exercise

Question 5

The more serious types of dysrhythmias are corrected through electrical shock of the heart, a treatment called:

A) Debridement
B) Cardiac ablation
C) Cardioversion or defibrillation
D) Installing a pacemaker

Question 6

The pharmacist caring for a patient with a dysrhythmia understands the effects of which drug can last 4-8 weeks after the drug is discontinued because it has an extended half-life that can exceed 100 days?

A) Digoxin
B) Verapamil
C) Propranolol
D) Amiodarone

Question 7

The pharmacist is dispensing adenosine to a patient. What is the correct half-life for the medication?

A) 10 days.
B) 10 seconds.
C) 10 hours.
D) 10 minutes.

Question 8

A patient has been prescribed diltiazem. The pharmacist should instruct the patient to notify the physician if which side effects occur? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

A) Systolic blood pressure is less than 90 mm Hg.
B) Dizziness occurs when standing up quickly.
C) Heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute.
D) Blood glucose increases.
E) Hypoglycemia

Question 9

A patient presents in the Emergency Department with a cardiac dysrhythmia. The pharmacist investigates possible causes of the dysrhythmia. Which items in the patient's medical record could be the cause of the dysrhythmia? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

A) Anxiety
B) Caffeine ingestion
C) Hypoxia
D) Tobacco use
E) Diabetes

Question 10

The patient has a dysrhythmia, and is started on a calcium channel blocker. What is the rationale for why this patient is being treated with this type of medication?

A) Is not a candidate for an ICD.
B) Will have fewer side effects.
C) Has a supraventricular dysrhythmia.
D) Will respond quicker.

Question 11

Some dysrhythmias produce no symptoms and have negligible effects on heart while others are life threatening and require immediate treatment.

Question 12

The AV node has the ability to spontaneously generate an electrical impulse if the impulse is not received from the SA node.

Question 13

Dysrhythmias that originate in the ventricles are sometimes referred to as supraventricular.

Question 14

Drugs for rhythm problems work by acting on sodium, potassium, and calcium ion channels.

Question 15

Cardiac pacemakers are sometimes inserted to correct tachycardia.

Question 16

All antidysrhythmic drugs have the potential to cause a dysrhythmia.

Question 17

Beta-adrenergic blockers reduce automaticity and increase conduction velocity in the heart.

Question 18

Potassium channel blockers initiate the depolarization of the impulse.

Question 19

What would happen if the impulse never reached the AV node?

Question 20

With respect to ion channels, describe how the various classes of drugs work to correct rhythm problems.

Question 21

What happens to the heart when it is defibrillated?