1
SSM
SSM BASIC DYSRHYTHMIA RN EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS UPDATED
(2024/2025) (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
Cardizem - ANS ✓Calcium channel blocker used to control supraventricular
tachycardia or to decrease ventricular response in atrial fibrillation or atrial
flutter. Acts by inhibiting calcium influx and should be given as and IV infusion of
5 to 15 mg/hour
Magnesium - ANS ✓Used to convert Torsades de pointes or refractory
ventricular arrhythmias. Used with caution if renal failure is present. Dose is
usually 1-2 grams IV.
Atropine - ANS ✓Decreases vagal influence on the SA node and AV node. Used to
increase heart rate in bradycardias and to increase conduction through the AV
node in AV blocks. Contraindicated in glaucoma patients, as it will increase
intraocular pressure.
Amiodarone - ANS ✓used in a wide variety of atrial and ventricular
tachyarrhythmia's and for rate control in rapid atrial arrhythmias. Can be
administered IV drip or orally. Dose is 300mg for pulseless arrest with a
maximum dose of 2.2 grams in 24 hours.
Metoprolol - ANS ✓Beta blocker used to convert to sinus rhythm or to slow
ventricular response, or both, in SVT, PSVT, Atrial fib, or atrial flutter.
Administered to patients with suspected MI and unstable angina to reduce
myocardial ischemia and damage. Can be administered IV push slowly and orally.
Adenosine - ANS ✓Drug of choice for treating atrial tachyarrhythmias. Give
rapid IV push, over 2 seconds. Onset of action is I minute. Half-life of this drug is
very short. May be repeated at twice the origial dose.
SSM BASIC
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SSM
Atrial Fibrillation - ANS ✓Irregular rhythm, no P waves present, decreased
cardiac output and emboli as potential dangers.
1st degree AV block - ANS ✓PR interval is consistently greater than 0.20
seconds
3rd degree AV block (complete heart block) - ANS ✓Rhythm in which the
atrium and ventricles are totally disassociated from each other
Bradycardia - ANS ✓Rhythm in which the rate is less than 60 bpm. May be
normal in some individuals.
Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT) - ANS ✓Sudden rapid regular thythm
which usually converts to normal sinus rhythm after drug therapy (adenosine) or
carotid message done by physician.
2nd degree AV block type 1 - ANS ✓Progressive lengthening of the PRinterval
until an impulse does not conduct through the AV node: P wave not followed by a
QRS.
Ventricular fibrillation - ANS ✓Arrhythmia that is the most common cause of
sudden cardiac arrest in people with coronary artery disease.
Atrial Flutter - ANS ✓Rhythm in which the atrial activity appears as a
characteristic sawtooth wave pattern known as F waves.
Sinus rhythm with first degree heart block - ANS ✓PR >0.20 consistantly tx:
continue to monitor
V paced - ANS ✓continue to monitor
SSM BASIC
SSM
SSM BASIC DYSRHYTHMIA RN EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS UPDATED
(2024/2025) (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
Cardizem - ANS ✓Calcium channel blocker used to control supraventricular
tachycardia or to decrease ventricular response in atrial fibrillation or atrial
flutter. Acts by inhibiting calcium influx and should be given as and IV infusion of
5 to 15 mg/hour
Magnesium - ANS ✓Used to convert Torsades de pointes or refractory
ventricular arrhythmias. Used with caution if renal failure is present. Dose is
usually 1-2 grams IV.
Atropine - ANS ✓Decreases vagal influence on the SA node and AV node. Used to
increase heart rate in bradycardias and to increase conduction through the AV
node in AV blocks. Contraindicated in glaucoma patients, as it will increase
intraocular pressure.
Amiodarone - ANS ✓used in a wide variety of atrial and ventricular
tachyarrhythmia's and for rate control in rapid atrial arrhythmias. Can be
administered IV drip or orally. Dose is 300mg for pulseless arrest with a
maximum dose of 2.2 grams in 24 hours.
Metoprolol - ANS ✓Beta blocker used to convert to sinus rhythm or to slow
ventricular response, or both, in SVT, PSVT, Atrial fib, or atrial flutter.
Administered to patients with suspected MI and unstable angina to reduce
myocardial ischemia and damage. Can be administered IV push slowly and orally.
Adenosine - ANS ✓Drug of choice for treating atrial tachyarrhythmias. Give
rapid IV push, over 2 seconds. Onset of action is I minute. Half-life of this drug is
very short. May be repeated at twice the origial dose.
SSM BASIC
, 2
SSM
Atrial Fibrillation - ANS ✓Irregular rhythm, no P waves present, decreased
cardiac output and emboli as potential dangers.
1st degree AV block - ANS ✓PR interval is consistently greater than 0.20
seconds
3rd degree AV block (complete heart block) - ANS ✓Rhythm in which the
atrium and ventricles are totally disassociated from each other
Bradycardia - ANS ✓Rhythm in which the rate is less than 60 bpm. May be
normal in some individuals.
Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT) - ANS ✓Sudden rapid regular thythm
which usually converts to normal sinus rhythm after drug therapy (adenosine) or
carotid message done by physician.
2nd degree AV block type 1 - ANS ✓Progressive lengthening of the PRinterval
until an impulse does not conduct through the AV node: P wave not followed by a
QRS.
Ventricular fibrillation - ANS ✓Arrhythmia that is the most common cause of
sudden cardiac arrest in people with coronary artery disease.
Atrial Flutter - ANS ✓Rhythm in which the atrial activity appears as a
characteristic sawtooth wave pattern known as F waves.
Sinus rhythm with first degree heart block - ANS ✓PR >0.20 consistantly tx:
continue to monitor
V paced - ANS ✓continue to monitor
SSM BASIC
