Chapter 18: Drug Therapy for DysrhythmiasWorkman & LaCharity: Understanding Pharmacology: Essentials for MedicationSafety, 2nd Edition

1. What does the term “asystole” mean? a. Absence of electrical activity in the heart b. The ability of the heart to fire an impulse on its own c. Full heart contraction that occurs earlier than it should d. The normal rhythm of the heart as measured by an electrocardiogram ANS: A Asystole is the absence of electrical or contraction activity within the heart. It appears on the electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor as a straight line or “flatline.” DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 297 2. Which part of the heart normally controls the heart rate? a. Atrioventricular (AV) node b. His-Purkinje system c. Sinoatrial (SA) node d. Left ventricle ANS: C The normal pacemaker of the heart is the SA node, which initiates 60 to 100 electrical impulses to the heart per minute. DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 292 3. Which person is likely to have the lowest resting heart rate? a. Newborn infant b. Exercising child c. Young adult athlete d. Older adult female ANS: C Heart rate is related to a person’s state of health and whether he or she is exercising or resting. For example, a young athlete may have a normal resting heart rate of 50 beats/min with an exercising heart rate of 100, whereas an older adult may have a resting heart rate of 80 or 90 beats/min and an exercising heart rate of 120 to 140. Newborns and children generally have faster resting heart rates. DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 292 4. Why must most cardiac dysrhythmias be treated? a. They increase preload. b. They decrease preload. TEST BANK FOR UNDERSTANDING PHARMACOLOGY 2ND EDITION BY WORKMAN NURSINGKING.COM #1 U.S NURSING TEST BANKS STORE . NURSINGKING.COM c. They increase cardiac output. d. They decrease cardiac output. ANS: D Most dysrhythmias have a negative effect on how well the heart works as a pump by decreasing cardiac output (the amount of blood the heart pumps in a minute). Dysrhythmias decrease cardiac output, which leads to symptoms such as dizziness, light-headedness, fainting (syncope), and decreased peripheral pulses. DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 293 5. What cardiac dysrhythmia can be helped or corrected by the drug atropine? a. Tachycardia b. Bradycardia c. Premature atrial contractions d. Premature ventricular contractions ANS: B Atropine is a competitive muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist used to treat abnormally slow heart rhythms known as bradydysrhythmias (bradycardia). The vagus nerve slows heart rate, and atropine blocks the actions of the vagus nerve on the heart. This drug is used for patients who have symptomatic bradycardia. DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 296 6. Which condition is a common side effect of atropine? a. Urinary retention b. Loss of appetite c. Weight gain d. Difficulty sleeping ANS: A Common side effects of atropine include tachycardia, drowsiness, blurred vision, dry mouth, and urinary hesitancy or retention. DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 297 7. What step must be taken before giving digoxin (Lanoxin)? a. Measure the size of both ankles. b. Take the apical pulse for a full minute. c. Make sure the patient has not eaten for at least an hour. d. Take the blood pressure in both the right arm and the left arm. ANS: B Digoxin (Lanoxin) is a cardiac glycoside that may be used in small doses to increase contractility and slow conduction through the AV node, causing slowing of the heart rate. Always check the patient’s pulse for a full minute before giving the dose. If the heart rate is less than 60 per minute hold the drug and notify the prescriber. Teach patients going home on this drug how to perform a pulse check and when to notify the prescriber. DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 296 TEST BANK FOR UNDERSTANDING PHARMACOLOGY 2ND EDITION BY WORKMAN NURSINGKING.COM #1 U.S NURSING TEST BANKS STORE NURSINGKING.COM 8. In which class of antidysrhythmic drugs do beta blockers belong? a. Class I b. Class II c. Class III d. Class IV