, Pharmacology Exam Review: Final Study Guide.
1. A patient about to receive his morning dose of digox- A. Administer the dose.
in has an apical pulse of 70 beats per minute. What
will the nurse do?
A. Administer the dose.
B. Administer the dose and notify the physician.
C. Check the radial pulse for 1 full minute.
D. Withhold the dose and notify the
2. In assessing a patient before administration of a car- A. Hypokalemia; control ven-
diac glycoside, the nurse knows that what condition tricular response to atri-
can predispose a patient to digitalis toxicity? al fibrillation and a de-
A. Hypokalemia rived from foxglove. Digox-
B. Hyperkalemia in is the only available
C. Hypocalcemia cardiac glycoside---positive
D. Hypernatremia inotropic---inhibits sodium
potassium pump (adeno-
sine tripphophatase) Sodi-
um and calcium rise. Cholin-
ergic stimulation via the va-
gus nerve of Parasympathet-
ic nervous system. ---Nega-
tive chronotropic---Negative
Dromotropic ettect
3. While assessing a patient who is receiving intra- B. Decreased heart rate
venous digitalis, the nurse recognizes that the drug
has a negative chronotropic effect. How would this
drug effect be evident in the patient?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Decreased heart rate
C. Decreased conduction
D. Increased ectopic beats
, Pharmacology Exam Review: Final Study Guide.
4. A patient has been taking digoxin at home but has D. "This drug is an an-
taken an accidental overdose and has developed tidote to digoxin and will
toxicity. He has been admitted to the telemetry unit help to lower the blood
where the physician has ordered digoxin immune levels." (severe bradycardia,
Fab (Digibind). The patient asks the nurse why the advanced heart block, ven-
medication is ordered. What is the nurse's best re- tricularr tachycardia, fibril-
sponse? lation, and hyperkalemia);
A. "It works faster than digoxin." available in parental form.
B. "It is safer than digoxin and can be taken orally." Clinical signs and symp-
C. "It helps to convert the irregular heart rhythm to toms are monitored NOT
a more normal rhythm." serum levels used for sys-
D. "This drug is an antidote to digoxin and will help tolic heart failure and atrial
to lower the blood levels." fibrillation.
5. 5. A patient has been placed on a milrinone infusion D. Cardiac dysrhythmias
as part of the therapy for end-stage heart failure. (contraindictated with ven-
What risks involved with this drug will the nurse tricular tachycardia, and fib-
keep in mind while assessing this patient during the rillation) used for treatment
infusion? of atrial fibrillation. Available
A. Hypertension in Oral and injection form.
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Cardiac dysrhythmias
6. 6. A patient with atrial fibrillation was started on B. 0.7 ng/mL (normal 0.5 to
digoxin, and 1 week later a digoxin level was drawn. 2.0 ng/mL
Which result is within normal therapeutic levels for
digoxin?
A. 0.4 ng/mL
, Pharmacology Exam Review: Final Study Guide.
B. 0.7 ng/mL