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DYSRHYTHMIAS (NCLEX) EXAM 1 2025
UPDATED ACTUAL EXAM WITH CORRECT
SOLUTIONS.
A client's electrocardiogram strip shows atrial and ventricular
rates of 80 complexes per minute. The PR interval is 0.14
second, and the QRS complex measures 0.08 second. The
nurse interprets this rhythm is:
A) Normal sinus rhythm
B) Sinus bradycardia
C) Sinus tachycardia
D) Sinus dysrhythmia - correct answer- A
A client has frequent bursts of ventricular tachycardia on the
cardiac monitor. A nurse is most concerned with this
dysrhythmia because:
A) It is uncomfortable for the client, giving a sense of impending
doom.
B) It produces a high cardiac output that quickly leads to
cerebral and myocardial ischemia.
C) It is almost impossible to convert to a normal sinus rhythm.
D) It can develop into ventricular fibrillation at any time. -
correct answer- D
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Ventricular tachycardia is a life-threatening dysrhythmia that
results from an irritable ectopic focus that takes over as the
pacemaker for the heart. The low cardiac output that results
can lead quickly to cerebral and myocardial ischemia. Client's
frequently experience a feeling of impending death. Ventricular
tachycardia is treated with antidysrhythmic medications or
magnesium sulfate, cardioversion (client awake), or
defibrillation (loss of consciousness), Ventricular tachycardia
can deteriorate into ventricular defibrillation at any time.
The nurse administers amiodarone (Cordarone) to a client with
ventricular tachycardia. Which monitoring by the nurse is
necessary with this drug? Select all that apply.
a. Respiratory rate
b. QT interval
c. Heart rate and rhythm
d. Magnesium level
e. Urine output - correct answer- BCD
Amiodarone causes prolongation of the QT interval, which can
precipitate dysrhythmia. Antidysrhythmic medications cause
changes in cardiac rhythm and rate; therefore monitoring of
heart rate and rhythm is needed.Electrolyte depletion,
specifically potassium and magnesium, may predispose to
further dysrhythmia. Although it is always important to monitor
vital signs and urine output, these assessments are not specific
to amiodarone.
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The nurse is caring for a client with acute coronary syndrome
(ACS) and atrial fibrillation who has a new prescription for
metoprolol (Lopressor). Which monitoring is essential when
administering the medication?
a. ST segment
b. Heart rate
c. Troponin
d. Myoglobin - correct answer- B
The effects of metoprolol are to decrease heart rate, blood
pressure, and myocardial oxygen demand. ST segment
elevation is consistent with MI; it does not address monitoring
of metoprolol. Elevation in troponin is consistent with a
diagnosis of MI but does not address needed monitoring for
metoprolol. Elevation in myoglobin is consistent with myocardial
injury in ACS but does not address needed monitoring related
to metoprolol.
The nurse is caring for a client with atrial fibrillation. In addition
to an antidysrhythmic, what medication does the nurse plan to
administer?
a. Heparin
b. Atropine
c. Dobutamine
d. Magnesium sulfate - correct answer- A
Clients with atrial fibrillation are prone to blood pooling in the
atrium, clotting, then embolizing. Heparin is used to prevent
DYSRHYTHMIAS (NCLEX) EXAM 1 2025
UPDATED ACTUAL EXAM WITH CORRECT
SOLUTIONS.
A client's electrocardiogram strip shows atrial and ventricular
rates of 80 complexes per minute. The PR interval is 0.14
second, and the QRS complex measures 0.08 second. The
nurse interprets this rhythm is:
A) Normal sinus rhythm
B) Sinus bradycardia
C) Sinus tachycardia
D) Sinus dysrhythmia - correct answer- A
A client has frequent bursts of ventricular tachycardia on the
cardiac monitor. A nurse is most concerned with this
dysrhythmia because:
A) It is uncomfortable for the client, giving a sense of impending
doom.
B) It produces a high cardiac output that quickly leads to
cerebral and myocardial ischemia.
C) It is almost impossible to convert to a normal sinus rhythm.
D) It can develop into ventricular fibrillation at any time. -
correct answer- D
,2 | Page
Ventricular tachycardia is a life-threatening dysrhythmia that
results from an irritable ectopic focus that takes over as the
pacemaker for the heart. The low cardiac output that results
can lead quickly to cerebral and myocardial ischemia. Client's
frequently experience a feeling of impending death. Ventricular
tachycardia is treated with antidysrhythmic medications or
magnesium sulfate, cardioversion (client awake), or
defibrillation (loss of consciousness), Ventricular tachycardia
can deteriorate into ventricular defibrillation at any time.
The nurse administers amiodarone (Cordarone) to a client with
ventricular tachycardia. Which monitoring by the nurse is
necessary with this drug? Select all that apply.
a. Respiratory rate
b. QT interval
c. Heart rate and rhythm
d. Magnesium level
e. Urine output - correct answer- BCD
Amiodarone causes prolongation of the QT interval, which can
precipitate dysrhythmia. Antidysrhythmic medications cause
changes in cardiac rhythm and rate; therefore monitoring of
heart rate and rhythm is needed.Electrolyte depletion,
specifically potassium and magnesium, may predispose to
further dysrhythmia. Although it is always important to monitor
vital signs and urine output, these assessments are not specific
to amiodarone.
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The nurse is caring for a client with acute coronary syndrome
(ACS) and atrial fibrillation who has a new prescription for
metoprolol (Lopressor). Which monitoring is essential when
administering the medication?
a. ST segment
b. Heart rate
c. Troponin
d. Myoglobin - correct answer- B
The effects of metoprolol are to decrease heart rate, blood
pressure, and myocardial oxygen demand. ST segment
elevation is consistent with MI; it does not address monitoring
of metoprolol. Elevation in troponin is consistent with a
diagnosis of MI but does not address needed monitoring for
metoprolol. Elevation in myoglobin is consistent with myocardial
injury in ACS but does not address needed monitoring related
to metoprolol.
The nurse is caring for a client with atrial fibrillation. In addition
to an antidysrhythmic, what medication does the nurse plan to
administer?
a. Heparin
b. Atropine
c. Dobutamine
d. Magnesium sulfate - correct answer- A
Clients with atrial fibrillation are prone to blood pooling in the
atrium, clotting, then embolizing. Heparin is used to prevent
