Deck 24: Drugs Used to Treat Dysrhythmias

Question 1

Amiodarone is contraindicated for patients with which condition?

A) Pulmonary edema
B) Severe sinus node dysfunction causing bradycardia
C) Atrial fibrillation
D) Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)

Answer 1

Severe sinus node dysfunction causing bradycardia

Question 2

Which lidocaine preparation is appropriate for the treatment of cardiac dysrhythmias?

A) 0.1% lidocaine with preservative
B) 2% lidocaine for topical use
C) Lidocaine patch
D) Injectable lidocaine without preservative

Answer 2

Injectable lidocaine without preservative

Question 3

The nurse is assessing a patient who was recently admitted to the emergency department with dysrhythmias and shortness of breath. Which baseline nursing assessments are priorities? (Select all that apply.)

A) ECG monitoring
B) Medication history
C) Oxygen saturation
D) Presence of chest pain, dyspnea, fatigue
E) Mental status
F) Sleep pattern

Answer 3

ECG monitoring
Medication history
Oxygen saturation
Presence of chest pain, dyspnea, fatigue
Mental status

Question 4

The nurse is preparing to mix a lidocaine infusion for a patient. Which considerations should the nurse take into account before administration? (Select all that apply.)

A) Lidocaine with preservatives should be used.
B) Dextrose 5% is the solution to mix with lidocaine.
C) Therapeutic blood levels should be 1 to 5 mg/L.
D) The rate of administration is 1 to 4 mg/min.
E) Monitor for changes in neurological status.

Question 5

What is the action of amiodarone (Cordarone), a class III agent used to treat cardiac dysrhythmias?

A) It acts as a myocardial depressant by inhibiting sodium ion movement.
B) It prolongs the duration of the electrical stimulation on cells and the refractory time between electrical impulses.
C) It acts as a beta-adrenergic agent.
D) It slows the rate of electrical conduction and prolongs the time between contractions.

Question 6

Patients who are on neuromuscular blocking agents and lidocaine must be closely observed for which complication?

A) Hyperkalemia
B) Respiratory depression
C) Neurotoxicity
D) Seizures

Question 7

A patient is taking amiodarone (Cordarone) for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and begins to complain of dizziness. What will the nurse instruct the patient to do?

A) Discontinue the medication immediately.
B) Decrease the medication dosage for 1 week, and then resume the original order.
C) Change positions slowly.
D) Increase the dosage per health care provider directions.

Question 8

The patient recently prescribed quinidine is at highest risk for which common adverse effect?

A) Chills
B) Diarrhea
C) Nausea
D) Rash

Question 9

How many mg of lidocaine will the nurse administer IV bolus to a 30-year-old patient with ventricular tachycardia who weighs 75 kg after a myocardial infarction?

A) 10
B) 25
C) 50
D) 75

Question 10

The nurse is preparing to administer adenosine to a patient with supraventricular tachycardia. Which considerations should the nurse take into account before administration? (Select all that apply.)

A) Constant ECG monitoring is necessary.
B) Initial recommended dosage is 12-mg IV bolus.
C) Rapid IV bolus administration is recommended.
D) Saline flush following bolus is necessary.
E) Long half-life of adenosine may prolong adverse medication effects.

Question 11

A patient is diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. The nurse anticipates that which drug will be used in the treatment of this dysrhythmia?

A) Disopyramide (Norpace)
B) Flecainide (Tambocor)
C) Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
D) Mexiletine (Mexitil)

Question 12

Which symptom will the nurse encourage the patient taking flecainide to report to the health care provider?

A) Headache
B) Dizziness
C) Constipation
D) Weight gain

Question 13

A patient who is started on phenytoin (Dilantin), who is also taking amiodarone (Cordarone), should be assessed for what possible effect?

A) CNS depression and sedation
B) Decrease in effectiveness of phenytoin
C) Respiratory depression
D) Increase in serum phenytoin levels

Question 14

Which statement is true regarding the antidysrhythmic agent adenosine (Adenocard)?

A) It is synthesized from petroleum products.
B) It is created through recombinant DNA.
C) It is extracted from plants.
D) It is a naturally occurring chemical in the body.