NU 578 UNIT EXAM 3 PREP
A 76-year-old retired postal worker with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic heart
disease presents with a cardiac arrhythmia and is being considered for treatment
with procainamide. She is already receiving an ACE inhibitor, digoxin, and
hydrochlorothiazide for her cardiac condition. 1. In deciding on a treatment regimen
with procainamide for this patient, which of the following statements is most
correct?
(A) A probable drug interaction with digoxin suggests that digoxin blood levels should
be obtained before and after starting procainamide.
(B) Hyperkalemia should be avoided to reduce the likelihood of procainamide
toxicity.
(C) Procainamide cannot be used if the patient has asthma because it has a β-
blocking effect.
(D) Procainamide cannot be used if the patient has angina because it has a β-agonist
effect.
(E) Procainamide is not active by the oral route.
If this patient should take an overdose and manifest severe acute procainamide
toxicity with markedly prolonged QRS, which of the following should be given
immediately?
(A) A calcium chelator such as EDTA
(B) Adenosine
(C) Nitroprusside
, (D) Potassium chloride
(E) Sodium lactate
A 54-year-old airline pilot is admitted to the emergency department with chest pain
and a rapid heart rhythm. The ECG shows an inferior myocardial infarction and
ventricular tachycardia. Amiodarone is ordered. Amiodarone
(A) Decreases PR interval in normal sinus rhythm
(B) Increases action potential duration
(C) Increases contractility
(D) Often causes liver function abnormalities
(E) Reduces resting potential
A 36-year-old woman with a history of poorly controlled thyrotoxicosis has recurrent
episodes of tachycardia with severe shortness of breath. During elective surgery to
remove her thyroid, she develops a heart rate of 200 with a slightly decreased blood
pressure. Which of the following drugs would be most suitable?
(A) Amiodarone
(B) Disopyramide
(C) Esmolol
(D) Quinidine
(E) Verapamil
A 76-year-old retired postal worker with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic heart
disease presents with a cardiac arrhythmia and is being considered for treatment
with procainamide. She is already receiving an ACE inhibitor, digoxin, and
hydrochlorothiazide for her cardiac condition. 1. In deciding on a treatment regimen
with procainamide for this patient, which of the following statements is most
correct?
(A) A probable drug interaction with digoxin suggests that digoxin blood levels should
be obtained before and after starting procainamide.
(B) Hyperkalemia should be avoided to reduce the likelihood of procainamide
toxicity.
(C) Procainamide cannot be used if the patient has asthma because it has a β-
blocking effect.
(D) Procainamide cannot be used if the patient has angina because it has a β-agonist
effect.
(E) Procainamide is not active by the oral route.
If this patient should take an overdose and manifest severe acute procainamide
toxicity with markedly prolonged QRS, which of the following should be given
immediately?
(A) A calcium chelator such as EDTA
(B) Adenosine
(C) Nitroprusside
, (D) Potassium chloride
(E) Sodium lactate
A 54-year-old airline pilot is admitted to the emergency department with chest pain
and a rapid heart rhythm. The ECG shows an inferior myocardial infarction and
ventricular tachycardia. Amiodarone is ordered. Amiodarone
(A) Decreases PR interval in normal sinus rhythm
(B) Increases action potential duration
(C) Increases contractility
(D) Often causes liver function abnormalities
(E) Reduces resting potential
A 36-year-old woman with a history of poorly controlled thyrotoxicosis has recurrent
episodes of tachycardia with severe shortness of breath. During elective surgery to
remove her thyroid, she develops a heart rate of 200 with a slightly decreased blood
pressure. Which of the following drugs would be most suitable?
(A) Amiodarone
(B) Disopyramide
(C) Esmolol
(D) Quinidine
(E) Verapamil
