LEHNE CHAPTER 49 – ANTIDYSRHYTHMIC DRUGS –
PHARMACOLOGY – 2026 CORRECT QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
ANS: A
Calcium channel blockade has the same impact on cardiac action potentials as does beta blockade, so
these agents have nearly identical effects on cardiac function; that is, they reduce automaticity in the SA
node, delay conduction through the AV node, and reduce myocardial contractility. Potassium channel
blockers act by delaying repolarization of fast potentials. Sodium channel blockers block sodium
channels to slow impulse conduction in the atria, ventricles, and His-Purkinje system. - correct answers-
1. Which two classes of antidysrhythmic drugs have nearly identical cardiac effects?
a.
Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers
b.
Beta blockers and potassium channel blockers
c.
Calcium channel blockers and sodium channel blockers
d.
Sodium channel blockers and potassium channel blockers
ANS: B
Dysrhythmic activity in the atria does not significantly reduce cardiac output but can be dangerous when
dysrhythmic impulses cross the AV node, causing ventricular dysrhythmias, which can be life
threatening. Treating ventricular dysrhythmia helps improve ventricular pumping. These drugs do not
restore normal sinus rhythm. To prevent stroke, an anticoagulant, such as warfarin, is used. Slowing
ventricular contraction does not affect the rate of atrial contraction. Restoring normal sinus rhythm
requires cardioversion, short-term treatment with amiodarone or sotalol, or RF ablation of the
dysrhythmia source. - correct answers-2. A patient with atrial fibrillation is taking verapamil [Calan]. The
patient has read about the drug on the Internet and wants to know why a drug that affects the rate of
ventricular contraction is used to treat an abnormal atrial contraction. What will the nurse tell the
patient?
a.
, "Drugs that treat ventricular dysrhythmias help to restore normal sinus rhythm."
b.
"Atrial dysrhythmias can have life-threatening effects on ventricular function."
c.
"Treating ventricular dysrhythmias helps prevent the likelihood of stroke."
d.
"When ventricular contraction slows, atrial contraction is also slowed."
ANS: A
After cardioversion for atrial flutter, patients may continue to need long-term therapy with either a class
IC agent or a class III agent to prevent recurrence. Patients undergoing DC cardioversion need to take
warfarin 3 to 4 weeks before the procedure and for several weeks afterward. Beta blockers are not
indicated for postprocedural prophylaxis. Class IC and class III agents are antidysrhythmic drugs. -
correct answers-3. A nurse is teaching a patient who is about to undergo direct-current (DC)
cardioversion to treat atrial flutter. The patient has been taking verapamil and warfarin for 6 months.
Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?
a.
"I may need long-term therapy with another cardiac medication after the procedure."
b.
"I should stop taking warfarin a few days before the procedure."
c.
"I will need to take a beta blocker after the procedure to prevent recurrence of atrial flutter."
d.
"I will not have to take antidysrhythmia medications after the procedure."
ANS: A
Because antidysrhythmic drugs have prodysrhythmic actions, they can exacerbate existing dysrhythmias
or generate new ones. Most adverse effects are cardiac related. There is evidence of increased mortality
with many of these drugs. Use of these drugs should be limited to situations in which there is a clear
benefit and only if that benefit outweighs any risks. - correct answers-4. A nurse is teaching a group of
nursing students about antidysrhythmic medications. Which statement by a student indicates
understanding of the teaching?
a.
PHARMACOLOGY – 2026 CORRECT QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
ANS: A
Calcium channel blockade has the same impact on cardiac action potentials as does beta blockade, so
these agents have nearly identical effects on cardiac function; that is, they reduce automaticity in the SA
node, delay conduction through the AV node, and reduce myocardial contractility. Potassium channel
blockers act by delaying repolarization of fast potentials. Sodium channel blockers block sodium
channels to slow impulse conduction in the atria, ventricles, and His-Purkinje system. - correct answers-
1. Which two classes of antidysrhythmic drugs have nearly identical cardiac effects?
a.
Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers
b.
Beta blockers and potassium channel blockers
c.
Calcium channel blockers and sodium channel blockers
d.
Sodium channel blockers and potassium channel blockers
ANS: B
Dysrhythmic activity in the atria does not significantly reduce cardiac output but can be dangerous when
dysrhythmic impulses cross the AV node, causing ventricular dysrhythmias, which can be life
threatening. Treating ventricular dysrhythmia helps improve ventricular pumping. These drugs do not
restore normal sinus rhythm. To prevent stroke, an anticoagulant, such as warfarin, is used. Slowing
ventricular contraction does not affect the rate of atrial contraction. Restoring normal sinus rhythm
requires cardioversion, short-term treatment with amiodarone or sotalol, or RF ablation of the
dysrhythmia source. - correct answers-2. A patient with atrial fibrillation is taking verapamil [Calan]. The
patient has read about the drug on the Internet and wants to know why a drug that affects the rate of
ventricular contraction is used to treat an abnormal atrial contraction. What will the nurse tell the
patient?
a.
, "Drugs that treat ventricular dysrhythmias help to restore normal sinus rhythm."
b.
"Atrial dysrhythmias can have life-threatening effects on ventricular function."
c.
"Treating ventricular dysrhythmias helps prevent the likelihood of stroke."
d.
"When ventricular contraction slows, atrial contraction is also slowed."
ANS: A
After cardioversion for atrial flutter, patients may continue to need long-term therapy with either a class
IC agent or a class III agent to prevent recurrence. Patients undergoing DC cardioversion need to take
warfarin 3 to 4 weeks before the procedure and for several weeks afterward. Beta blockers are not
indicated for postprocedural prophylaxis. Class IC and class III agents are antidysrhythmic drugs. -
correct answers-3. A nurse is teaching a patient who is about to undergo direct-current (DC)
cardioversion to treat atrial flutter. The patient has been taking verapamil and warfarin for 6 months.
Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?
a.
"I may need long-term therapy with another cardiac medication after the procedure."
b.
"I should stop taking warfarin a few days before the procedure."
c.
"I will need to take a beta blocker after the procedure to prevent recurrence of atrial flutter."
d.
"I will not have to take antidysrhythmia medications after the procedure."
ANS: A
Because antidysrhythmic drugs have prodysrhythmic actions, they can exacerbate existing dysrhythmias
or generate new ones. Most adverse effects are cardiac related. There is evidence of increased mortality
with many of these drugs. Use of these drugs should be limited to situations in which there is a clear
benefit and only if that benefit outweighs any risks. - correct answers-4. A nurse is teaching a group of
nursing students about antidysrhythmic medications. Which statement by a student indicates
understanding of the teaching?
a.
