Chapter 40: Cardiac Glycosides,
Antianginals, and Antidysrhythmics
McCuistion: Pharmacology: A
Patient-Centered Nursing Process
Approach, 11th Edition
A patient who has atrial fibrillation is taking digoxin. The nurse expects which medication to
be given concurrently to treat this condition?
a. Hydrochlorothiazide
b. Digoxin-immune Fab
c. Milrinone
d. Warfarin
ANS: D
Digoxin is given for atrial fibrillation to restore a normal heart rhythm. To prevent
thromboemboli, warfarin is given concurrently. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic medication.
Milrinone is an inotropic agent used in decompensated heart failure. Digoxin-immune Fab is
an antidote for digitalis toxicity.
A patient is diagnosed with heart failure (HF), and the prescriber has ordered digoxin. The
patient asks what lifestyle changes will help in the management of this condition. the nurse
will recommend which changes?
a. Vigorous aerobic exercise and weight lifting 2 or 3 times weekly
b. Changing from cigarette smoking to pipe smoking
c. Consuming 3 teaspoons or less of salt every day
d. Having no more than one alcoholic beverage per day
ANS: D
Alcohol should either be completely avoided or restricted to no more than one per day. Mild
exercise, such as walking, is recommended. All methods of smoking can deprive the heart of
oxygen. Salt should be limited to no more than one teaspoon per day.
We have an expert-written solution to this problem!
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has increasing dyspnea and is
being evaluated for HF. Which test will be ordered to help differentiate between dyspnea due
to lung dysfunction and dyspnea due to HF?
, a. Atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH) level
b. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level
c. Cardiac enzymes
d. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
ANS: B
The BNP is used to differentiate that dyspnea is due to HF and not lung dysfunction. the
other tests will all be a part of the diagnostic workup but do not help with this distinction.
The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient who has HF. The patient reports
nausea, vomiting, and visual halos around objects. the nurse notes a respiratory rate of 18
breaths per minute, a heart rate of 58 beats per minute, and a blood pressure of 120/78 mm
Hg. What will the nurse do next?
a. Administer the next dose as ordered since these are mild side effects.
b. Hold the dose and notify the provider of possible digoxin toxicity.
c. Reassure the patient that these are common, self-limiting side effects.
d. Request an order for an antiemetic and an analgesic medication.
ANS: B
Nausea, vomiting, and headache are common signs of digoxin toxicity as is a heart rate less
than 60 beats per minute. Patients will also sometimes present with visual illusions, such as
colored halos around objectives. the nurse should hold the dose and notify the provider.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is taking digoxin to treat HF. The patient's ECG shows
aventricular dysrhythmia. the nurse will notify the provider and will anticipate an order for
which medication to treat a digoxin-induced ventricular dysrhythmia?
a. Digoxin immune Fab
b. Furosemide
c. Phenytoin
d. Potassium
ANS: C
The antidysrhythmics phenytoin and lidocaine are effective in treating digoxin-induced
ventricular dysrhythmias. Digoxin immune Fab is used to treat severe digitalis toxicity,
characterized by bradycardia, nausea, and vomiting. Unless a potassium deficit is present,
giving potassium could worsen the dysrhythmia.
A patient who takes digoxin to treat HF will begin taking a vasodilator. The patient asks the
nurse why this new drug has been ordered. the nurse will explain that the vasodilator is used
to
a. decrease ventricular stretching.
Antianginals, and Antidysrhythmics
McCuistion: Pharmacology: A
Patient-Centered Nursing Process
Approach, 11th Edition
A patient who has atrial fibrillation is taking digoxin. The nurse expects which medication to
be given concurrently to treat this condition?
a. Hydrochlorothiazide
b. Digoxin-immune Fab
c. Milrinone
d. Warfarin
ANS: D
Digoxin is given for atrial fibrillation to restore a normal heart rhythm. To prevent
thromboemboli, warfarin is given concurrently. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic medication.
Milrinone is an inotropic agent used in decompensated heart failure. Digoxin-immune Fab is
an antidote for digitalis toxicity.
A patient is diagnosed with heart failure (HF), and the prescriber has ordered digoxin. The
patient asks what lifestyle changes will help in the management of this condition. the nurse
will recommend which changes?
a. Vigorous aerobic exercise and weight lifting 2 or 3 times weekly
b. Changing from cigarette smoking to pipe smoking
c. Consuming 3 teaspoons or less of salt every day
d. Having no more than one alcoholic beverage per day
ANS: D
Alcohol should either be completely avoided or restricted to no more than one per day. Mild
exercise, such as walking, is recommended. All methods of smoking can deprive the heart of
oxygen. Salt should be limited to no more than one teaspoon per day.
We have an expert-written solution to this problem!
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has increasing dyspnea and is
being evaluated for HF. Which test will be ordered to help differentiate between dyspnea due
to lung dysfunction and dyspnea due to HF?
, a. Atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH) level
b. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level
c. Cardiac enzymes
d. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
ANS: B
The BNP is used to differentiate that dyspnea is due to HF and not lung dysfunction. the
other tests will all be a part of the diagnostic workup but do not help with this distinction.
The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient who has HF. The patient reports
nausea, vomiting, and visual halos around objects. the nurse notes a respiratory rate of 18
breaths per minute, a heart rate of 58 beats per minute, and a blood pressure of 120/78 mm
Hg. What will the nurse do next?
a. Administer the next dose as ordered since these are mild side effects.
b. Hold the dose and notify the provider of possible digoxin toxicity.
c. Reassure the patient that these are common, self-limiting side effects.
d. Request an order for an antiemetic and an analgesic medication.
ANS: B
Nausea, vomiting, and headache are common signs of digoxin toxicity as is a heart rate less
than 60 beats per minute. Patients will also sometimes present with visual illusions, such as
colored halos around objectives. the nurse should hold the dose and notify the provider.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is taking digoxin to treat HF. The patient's ECG shows
aventricular dysrhythmia. the nurse will notify the provider and will anticipate an order for
which medication to treat a digoxin-induced ventricular dysrhythmia?
a. Digoxin immune Fab
b. Furosemide
c. Phenytoin
d. Potassium
ANS: C
The antidysrhythmics phenytoin and lidocaine are effective in treating digoxin-induced
ventricular dysrhythmias. Digoxin immune Fab is used to treat severe digitalis toxicity,
characterized by bradycardia, nausea, and vomiting. Unless a potassium deficit is present,
giving potassium could worsen the dysrhythmia.
A patient who takes digoxin to treat HF will begin taking a vasodilator. The patient asks the
nurse why this new drug has been ordered. the nurse will explain that the vasodilator is used
to
a. decrease ventricular stretching.
