PHARM 201 Test Questions with Correct Solutions
A client has questions about the new medication prescribed for cardiac rhythm after
having cardioversion performed. How does a sodium channel blocker decrease the
likelihood of dysrhythmias ?
by prolonging the heart's refractory period
When describing the drugs classified as class IV antiarrhythmics, the nurse would identify
these as:
calcium channel blockers.
Lidocaine (Xylocaine) is available in a variety of dosage forms. How should a nurse
administer lidocaine to a client with a ventricular arrhythmia?
Intravenously
There are several classes of antiarrhythmic drugs. What class of antiarrhythmics drugs
block potassium channels, prolonging phase 3 of the action potential, and slowing the rate
and conduction of the heart?
III
The nurse is caring for a client who takes an antidysrhythmic. What would be a priority
nursing action before administering this drug?
Check the client's apical and radial pulses.
What is an adverse effect of propranolol therapy?
Diarrhea
,Which factor would necessitate that the dosage of disopyramide (Norpace) be reduced?
Renal impairment
A client has been prescribed disopyramide (Norpace) to treat a tachydysrhythmia. Which
factor would necessitate that the dose be reduced?
Renal impairment
A client experiencing a ventricular dysrhythmia has received a bolus of lidocaine. What is
the recommended rate for continuous infusion of lidocaine IV now prescribed for this
client?
1 to 4 mg/min
A nurse has been caring for a 49-year-old man who was hospitalized with recurrent
ventricular fibrillation and received IV amiodarone. The man is now scheduled to be
discharged on oral amiodarone, and the nurse has just completed discharge instructions.
Which statements made by the client indicates that further instruction is necessary?
"I am going on a cruise next week and plan to just lie in the sun all day and relax."
A client has a complex cardiac history that includes recurrent ventricular fibrillation. After
the failure of more conservative treatments, the care team has introduced oral amiodarone.
What assessments should be prioritized by the nurse who is providing care for this client?
Respiratory assessment
A 70-year-old woman with a history of atrial fibrillation takes digoxin and verapamil to
control her health problem. Verapamil achieves a therapeutic effect by:
, inhibiting the movement of calcium ions across the cardiac muscle cell membrane.
The nurse is administering lidocaine to a client with ventricular tachycardia. The nurse will
need to observe for adverse effects, including
hypotension.
Which factor would necessitate a reduction in the dosage of disopyramide?
Renal impairment
A client reports difficulty swallowing an antiarrhythmic capsule. What is the nurse's best
response?
"You can try a different form of the medication."
The primary health care provider prescribes sotalol (Betapace) 80 mg BID orally. The drug
is available in 40 mg tablets. The nurse will administer how many tablets in 24 hours?
4
The nurse administers a bolus of lidocaine to a client with a life-threatening ventricular
arrythmia and follows it with a continuous infusion at what rate?
1 to 4 mg/min
What class of antiarrhythmic agents does the nurse administer to slow the outward
movement of potassium during phase 3 of the action potential?
Class III
A client has questions about the new medication prescribed for cardiac rhythm after
having cardioversion performed. How does a sodium channel blocker decrease the
likelihood of dysrhythmias ?
by prolonging the heart's refractory period
When describing the drugs classified as class IV antiarrhythmics, the nurse would identify
these as:
calcium channel blockers.
Lidocaine (Xylocaine) is available in a variety of dosage forms. How should a nurse
administer lidocaine to a client with a ventricular arrhythmia?
Intravenously
There are several classes of antiarrhythmic drugs. What class of antiarrhythmics drugs
block potassium channels, prolonging phase 3 of the action potential, and slowing the rate
and conduction of the heart?
III
The nurse is caring for a client who takes an antidysrhythmic. What would be a priority
nursing action before administering this drug?
Check the client's apical and radial pulses.
What is an adverse effect of propranolol therapy?
Diarrhea
,Which factor would necessitate that the dosage of disopyramide (Norpace) be reduced?
Renal impairment
A client has been prescribed disopyramide (Norpace) to treat a tachydysrhythmia. Which
factor would necessitate that the dose be reduced?
Renal impairment
A client experiencing a ventricular dysrhythmia has received a bolus of lidocaine. What is
the recommended rate for continuous infusion of lidocaine IV now prescribed for this
client?
1 to 4 mg/min
A nurse has been caring for a 49-year-old man who was hospitalized with recurrent
ventricular fibrillation and received IV amiodarone. The man is now scheduled to be
discharged on oral amiodarone, and the nurse has just completed discharge instructions.
Which statements made by the client indicates that further instruction is necessary?
"I am going on a cruise next week and plan to just lie in the sun all day and relax."
A client has a complex cardiac history that includes recurrent ventricular fibrillation. After
the failure of more conservative treatments, the care team has introduced oral amiodarone.
What assessments should be prioritized by the nurse who is providing care for this client?
Respiratory assessment
A 70-year-old woman with a history of atrial fibrillation takes digoxin and verapamil to
control her health problem. Verapamil achieves a therapeutic effect by:
, inhibiting the movement of calcium ions across the cardiac muscle cell membrane.
The nurse is administering lidocaine to a client with ventricular tachycardia. The nurse will
need to observe for adverse effects, including
hypotension.
Which factor would necessitate a reduction in the dosage of disopyramide?
Renal impairment
A client reports difficulty swallowing an antiarrhythmic capsule. What is the nurse's best
response?
"You can try a different form of the medication."
The primary health care provider prescribes sotalol (Betapace) 80 mg BID orally. The drug
is available in 40 mg tablets. The nurse will administer how many tablets in 24 hours?
4
The nurse administers a bolus of lidocaine to a client with a life-threatening ventricular
arrythmia and follows it with a continuous infusion at what rate?
1 to 4 mg/min
What class of antiarrhythmic agents does the nurse administer to slow the outward
movement of potassium during phase 3 of the action potential?
Class III
