RCES COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE
●● Which class of antiarrhythmics works on the sodium channels?
Answer: Class I
●● Which class of antiarrhythmics works on the Potassium channels?
Answer: Class III= blocks K+ channels.
●● Which class of antiarrhythmics works on the Calcium channels?
Answer: Class IV are Ca++ channel blockers
●● What class of antiarrhythmics are classified as Beta blockers?
Answer: Class II are Beta blockers.
●● Diltiazem or verapamil are used to treat the following heart rhythm:
Answer: A. Fib- Calcium channel blockers slow the rate and decrease
conduction time at the AV node.
●● IV lidocaine is used to:
,Answer: Treat ventricular arrhythmias in acute MI. Lidocaine inhibits
the fast sodium channel and is used only for ventricular arrhythmias
especially those associated with AMI.
●● Accepted cardiac use of IV lidocaine is:
Answer: When frequent PVCs or VT significantly drop the BP.
●● what oral class 1 drug has effects most similar to IV lidocaine?
Answer: Mexiletine- Class 1b. does not prolong QRS duration or
repolarization.
●● The most common toxic effect of antiarrhythmic drugs is:
Answer: Proarrhythmia
●● what is the 1st ling drug recommended by ACLS guidelines to
terminate narrow complex tachycardia in the stable patient?
Answer: Adenosine.
●● Antiarrhythmic meds have many side effects and special
considerations. match together.
A. CNS effects (numbness, tingling)
B. Don't shake ampule, Pulmonary Fibrosis
C. Muscle paralysis, flush, sweating
,D. Do not mix with other meds.
E. Bradycardia, widens QRS, vasodilation, Lupus-like effects
1. Amiodarone
2. Lidocaine
3. Procainamide
4. MgSO4
5. Sodium Bicarbonate.
Answer: 1=B
2=A
3=E
4=C
5=D
●● Used as "pill in the pocket" . Class 1c drug used for symptomatic AF
patients with recent onset of AF that have no structural or ischemic heart
disease.
Answer: Flecainide. 200-300 mg.
●● An awake and asymptomatic patient has a very regular,
monomorphic wide-complex tachycardia. The physician orders an
adenosine IV bolus. WHY>
Answer: It may terminate the tachycardia if it is a SVT with aberrancy.
, -Adenosine is recommended in the initial diagnosis and treatment of
stable, undifferentiated regular, monomorphic wide-complex
tachycardia. Adenosine should not be used for irregular wide-complex
tachycardias becuz it may cause degeneration of the rhythm to VF.
●● Which antiarrhythmic drug has the most extensive toxic effects on
many organ systems such as: bradycardia, pneumonitis, thyroid effects,
CNS effects, and liver toxicity?
Answer: Amiodarone- class III drug
●● In symptomatic sinus bradycardia or A-V block, which of the
following medications is contraindicated?
Answer: Amiodarone
●● RVOT triggered VT is most likely to be converted to NSR with IV:
Answer: Adenosine or Verapamil.
-Signature characteristic of sustained RVOT/LVOT tachycardia is
termination by adenosine. Sensitivity of VT to block L-type calcium
channel current with verapamil is another distinguishing feature.
●● All the following drugs are contraindicated in a patient with WPW
EXCEPT?
A. Digoxin & Lidocaine
B. Inderal & Labetalol
AND CORRECT ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE
●● Which class of antiarrhythmics works on the sodium channels?
Answer: Class I
●● Which class of antiarrhythmics works on the Potassium channels?
Answer: Class III= blocks K+ channels.
●● Which class of antiarrhythmics works on the Calcium channels?
Answer: Class IV are Ca++ channel blockers
●● What class of antiarrhythmics are classified as Beta blockers?
Answer: Class II are Beta blockers.
●● Diltiazem or verapamil are used to treat the following heart rhythm:
Answer: A. Fib- Calcium channel blockers slow the rate and decrease
conduction time at the AV node.
●● IV lidocaine is used to:
,Answer: Treat ventricular arrhythmias in acute MI. Lidocaine inhibits
the fast sodium channel and is used only for ventricular arrhythmias
especially those associated with AMI.
●● Accepted cardiac use of IV lidocaine is:
Answer: When frequent PVCs or VT significantly drop the BP.
●● what oral class 1 drug has effects most similar to IV lidocaine?
Answer: Mexiletine- Class 1b. does not prolong QRS duration or
repolarization.
●● The most common toxic effect of antiarrhythmic drugs is:
Answer: Proarrhythmia
●● what is the 1st ling drug recommended by ACLS guidelines to
terminate narrow complex tachycardia in the stable patient?
Answer: Adenosine.
●● Antiarrhythmic meds have many side effects and special
considerations. match together.
A. CNS effects (numbness, tingling)
B. Don't shake ampule, Pulmonary Fibrosis
C. Muscle paralysis, flush, sweating
,D. Do not mix with other meds.
E. Bradycardia, widens QRS, vasodilation, Lupus-like effects
1. Amiodarone
2. Lidocaine
3. Procainamide
4. MgSO4
5. Sodium Bicarbonate.
Answer: 1=B
2=A
3=E
4=C
5=D
●● Used as "pill in the pocket" . Class 1c drug used for symptomatic AF
patients with recent onset of AF that have no structural or ischemic heart
disease.
Answer: Flecainide. 200-300 mg.
●● An awake and asymptomatic patient has a very regular,
monomorphic wide-complex tachycardia. The physician orders an
adenosine IV bolus. WHY>
Answer: It may terminate the tachycardia if it is a SVT with aberrancy.
, -Adenosine is recommended in the initial diagnosis and treatment of
stable, undifferentiated regular, monomorphic wide-complex
tachycardia. Adenosine should not be used for irregular wide-complex
tachycardias becuz it may cause degeneration of the rhythm to VF.
●● Which antiarrhythmic drug has the most extensive toxic effects on
many organ systems such as: bradycardia, pneumonitis, thyroid effects,
CNS effects, and liver toxicity?
Answer: Amiodarone- class III drug
●● In symptomatic sinus bradycardia or A-V block, which of the
following medications is contraindicated?
Answer: Amiodarone
●● RVOT triggered VT is most likely to be converted to NSR with IV:
Answer: Adenosine or Verapamil.
-Signature characteristic of sustained RVOT/LVOT tachycardia is
termination by adenosine. Sensitivity of VT to block L-type calcium
channel current with verapamil is another distinguishing feature.
●● All the following drugs are contraindicated in a patient with WPW
EXCEPT?
A. Digoxin & Lidocaine
B. Inderal & Labetalol
