Page |1
CVS PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM NEWEST / CVS
PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM PREPARATION / CVS
PHARMACOLOGY FINAL PRACTICE EXAM 2025/2026
NEWEST ACTUAL EXAM WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS |ALREADY GRADED A+|
What is amiodarone? - ANSWER-- Has effects of class 1-4, oral
as a loading dose or IV (has to be via central line)
- Long half-life - eliminated slowly and high dose needed at start
- Increases refractory period and AP duration, decreases phase 0
and conduction, increases threshold, decreases phase 4 (ß and
Ca2+ block) and decreases speed of AV conduction
- Increases PR and QT intervals, QRS complex, decreases HR
- Very wide spectrum uses - effective in most arrhythmias,
particularly AF and VT
- Many side effects which increase with time - pulmonary fibrosis
leading to breathlessness, hepatic injury, increased LDL, thyroid
disease, photosensitivity - thyroid and liver function should be
checked every 6 months
- Can cause optic neuritis (transient blindness) in 1/10,000, and
also breathlessness due to lung sensitivity as well
, Page |2
- Digoxin dose may need reducing, and warfarin needs monitoring
more closely - makes it more potent so INR will increase
What is sotalol? - ANSWER-- Classes 2 and 3 activity, oral 2x
daily
- Leads to increased AP duration and refractory period in atrial
and ventricular tissue, slows phase 4 and AV conduction
- Leads to a prolonged QT - can cause Torsades and potassium,
magnesium and calcium levels need measuring before starting as
they can influence the QT interval
- Also decreases HR
- Used in wide spectrum - supraventricular and ventricular
tachycardia
- Also is proarrhythmic and can lead to fatigue and insomnia
Class IV drugs - ANSWER-- Verapamil (oral/IV) and diltiazem
(oral)
- Slows conduction -through AV, increases AVN refractory period
and increases the slope of phase 4 in the SA to slow HR
, Page |3
- Increases PR interval, mostly increases HR but can decrease it
depending on BP response and baroreceptor reflex
- Used to control ventricles during SVT, particularly when ß-
blockers are contraindicated
- Converts SVT - re-entry around AVN
- There is caution when partial AV block is present and can lead to
asystole if given with ß-blocker - shouldn't be given together
unless they have a pacemaker
- Also cautioned in hypotension, decreased CO or sick sinus, and
can lead to some GI problems such as constipation
Class V drugs - ANSWER-Adenosine, ivabradine, digoxin,
atropine
What is adenosine? - ANSWER-- Rapid IV bolus followed by big
bolus of normal saline - passes through right side to lungs (not
given in asthma), back to left side, down AV nodal artery to the
AVN where it blocks conduction and can terminated rhythms
- Is a natural nucleoside that binds A1 receptors, blocking
adenylyl cyclase reducing cAMP which activates potassium
CVS PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM NEWEST / CVS
PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM PREPARATION / CVS
PHARMACOLOGY FINAL PRACTICE EXAM 2025/2026
NEWEST ACTUAL EXAM WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS |ALREADY GRADED A+|
What is amiodarone? - ANSWER-- Has effects of class 1-4, oral
as a loading dose or IV (has to be via central line)
- Long half-life - eliminated slowly and high dose needed at start
- Increases refractory period and AP duration, decreases phase 0
and conduction, increases threshold, decreases phase 4 (ß and
Ca2+ block) and decreases speed of AV conduction
- Increases PR and QT intervals, QRS complex, decreases HR
- Very wide spectrum uses - effective in most arrhythmias,
particularly AF and VT
- Many side effects which increase with time - pulmonary fibrosis
leading to breathlessness, hepatic injury, increased LDL, thyroid
disease, photosensitivity - thyroid and liver function should be
checked every 6 months
- Can cause optic neuritis (transient blindness) in 1/10,000, and
also breathlessness due to lung sensitivity as well
, Page |2
- Digoxin dose may need reducing, and warfarin needs monitoring
more closely - makes it more potent so INR will increase
What is sotalol? - ANSWER-- Classes 2 and 3 activity, oral 2x
daily
- Leads to increased AP duration and refractory period in atrial
and ventricular tissue, slows phase 4 and AV conduction
- Leads to a prolonged QT - can cause Torsades and potassium,
magnesium and calcium levels need measuring before starting as
they can influence the QT interval
- Also decreases HR
- Used in wide spectrum - supraventricular and ventricular
tachycardia
- Also is proarrhythmic and can lead to fatigue and insomnia
Class IV drugs - ANSWER-- Verapamil (oral/IV) and diltiazem
(oral)
- Slows conduction -through AV, increases AVN refractory period
and increases the slope of phase 4 in the SA to slow HR
, Page |3
- Increases PR interval, mostly increases HR but can decrease it
depending on BP response and baroreceptor reflex
- Used to control ventricles during SVT, particularly when ß-
blockers are contraindicated
- Converts SVT - re-entry around AVN
- There is caution when partial AV block is present and can lead to
asystole if given with ß-blocker - shouldn't be given together
unless they have a pacemaker
- Also cautioned in hypotension, decreased CO or sick sinus, and
can lead to some GI problems such as constipation
Class V drugs - ANSWER-Adenosine, ivabradine, digoxin,
atropine
What is adenosine? - ANSWER-- Rapid IV bolus followed by big
bolus of normal saline - passes through right side to lungs (not
given in asthma), back to left side, down AV nodal artery to the
AVN where it blocks conduction and can terminated rhythms
- Is a natural nucleoside that binds A1 receptors, blocking
adenylyl cyclase reducing cAMP which activates potassium
