Download Elsevier AEQ – Chapter 25: Antidysrhythmic Drugs | NCLEX-Style Pharmacology Questions wit and more Exams Pharmacology in PDF only on Docsity!
Elsevier AEQ – Chapter 25: Antidysrhythmic Drugs
| NCLEX-Style Pharmacology Questions with
Answers & Rationales | A-Graded Nursing Exam
Guide
In order to produce asystole that quickly converts into a sinus rhythm, the nurse administers which
drug? ✔✔✔answer✔✔✔Adenosine
A patient telephones the clinic and asks the nurse if he should still take today's "heart pills" since he noticed a waxy shell that looked like a pill capsule in his bowel movement yesterday. What is the
nurse's best response? ✔✔✔answer✔✔✔"The wax is part of the capsule shell, but the
drug is still getting absorbed."
Which medication reduces activity in the sinoatrial (SA) node? ✔✔✔answer✔✔✔Esmolol
The nurse knows that which structure in the heart is referred to as the "pacemaker"?
✔✔✔answer✔✔✔SA node
The nurse is caring for a patient who is being treated with amiodarone. After the patient is on the medication for 6 weeks, lab work drawn on the patient shows evidence of hypothyroidism developing. What does the nurse interpret this information to mean?
✔✔✔answer✔✔✔This is an expected adverse reaction to the medication.
The nurse recognizes which drug as a Class III antidysrhythmic?
✔✔✔answer✔✔✔Amiodarone
The health care provider has prescribed amiodarone for a patient with ventricular dysrhythmias. The nurse verifies the patient's medical history; the nurse should notify the health care provider when
the patient makes which statement? ✔✔✔answer✔✔✔"I take a blood thinner so I don't
get clots." A 100-mg IV bolus of lidocaine is prescribed for a patient experiencing ventricular dysrhythmias. Which available lidocaine medication should the nurse use to prepare this bolus?
✔✔✔answer✔✔✔Lidocaine vial of clear solution
Which medication increases the duration of the action potential by prolonging repolarization in
phase 3? ✔✔✔answer✔✔✔Sotalol
Which medication acts by blocking calcium channels? ✔✔✔answer✔✔✔Diltiazem
What is the most appropriate outcome criterion for a patient who has been prescribed an
antidysrhythmic medication? ✔✔✔answer✔✔✔Cardiac output increased
Which medication prolongs the effective refractory period?
✔✔✔answer✔✔✔Procainamide
In order to produce asystole that quickly converts into a sinus rhythm, the nurse administers which
drug? ✔✔✔answer✔✔✔Adenosine
A nurse is caring for a patient who is prescribed quinidine. For which adverse effect should the nurse
assess in the patient? ✔✔✔answer✔✔✔Prolonged QT interval
Which medication reduces activity in the sinoatrial (SA) node? ✔✔✔answer✔✔✔Esmolol
The health care provider discontinues a patient's quinidine and prescribes procainamide. The patient asks the nurse about the possible side effects of this medication. What is the nurse's best response?
✔✔✔answer✔✔✔"Take this medication with food to relieve an upset stomach."
Which medication blocks sodium channels, delays repolarization, and increases the duration of the
action potential? ✔✔✔answer✔✔✔Quinidine
A nurse is caring for a patient who has been started on ibutilide. Which assessment is a priority for
this patient? ✔✔✔answer✔✔✔Electrocardiogram (ECG)
A patient visiting the clinic has been taking amiodarone for several months. The nurse observes a bluish discoloration in the patient's skin. What is the nurse's first action?
✔✔✔answer✔✔✔Apply pulse oximeter
1. The nurse is preparing to administer IV lidocaine for a patient with ventricular dysrhythmia. Which assessment is the priority? A. Respiratory rate B. Neurologic status C. Blood glucose level D. Liver function tests
✔✔✔answer✔✔✔ : B
Rationale: Lidocaine toxicity often presents with CNS symptoms such as confusion, tremors, and seizures. Neurologic monitoring is essential.
2. A patient receiving amiodarone reports shortness of breath and a dry cough. What is the nurse’s best action? A. Instruct the patient to rest and reassess in 30 minutes B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately C. Encourage fluids and monitor oxygen saturation D. Document the findings and continue monitoring
✔✔✔answer✔✔✔ : B
Rationale: These are classic signs of pulmonary toxicity , a serious adverse effect of amiodarone requiring immediate evaluation.
3. Which patient teaching point is most important when prescribing oral amiodarone? A. “You can stop the medication once your heart rhythm normalizes.” B. “Avoid grapefruit juice while taking this medication.” C. “Take with a full glass of milk to avoid stomach upset.” D. “Expect to have mild chest pain while on the drug.”
✔✔✔answer✔✔✔ : B
Rationale: Grapefruit juice interferes with amiodarone metabolism and can increase toxicity risk. Patients should avoid it.
4. The primary effect of Class III antidysrhythmic drugs is:
A. Accelerate depolarization B. Shorten action potential C. Block potassium channels and prolong repolarization D. Inhibit calcium influx in the AV node
✔✔✔answer✔✔✔ : C
Rationale: Class III drugs (e.g., amiodarone, sotalol) block potassium channels , delaying repolarization and prolonging the QT interval.
5. Which finding would require the nurse to hold a dose of propranolol for dysrhythmia control? A. BP 130/80 mmHg B. HR 58 bpm C. Respiratory rate 18/min D. Temperature 99.1°F
✔✔✔answer✔✔✔ : B
Rationale: Propranolol (a beta-blocker) slows the heart rate. A pulse below 60 bpm may indicate risk for bradycardia and warrants holding the dose.
6. A patient is prescribed diltiazem for atrial fibrillation. What is the expected therapeutic effect? A. Decreased blood glucose B. Increased cardiac output C. Slowed ventricular rate D. Shortened PR interval
✔✔✔answer✔✔✔ : C
Rationale: Diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, slows AV nodal conduction, which reduces the ventricular rate in atrial fibrillation.
7. Which laboratory value is most important to monitor during quinidine therapy? A. Serum creatinine B. Blood glucose C. Digoxin level D. Hemoglobin
✔✔✔answer✔✔✔ : C
Rationale: Quinidine can increase digoxin levels and potentiate toxicity. Monitor digoxin serum levels closely when given concurrently.
8. A patient taking sotalol should be monitored closely for which serious adverse effect? A. Torsades de Pointes B. Atrial flutter
When preparing a teaching plan for a patient started on amiodarone, which food or drink should the
nurse advise the patient to avoid? ✔✔✔answer✔✔✔Grapefruit juice
