Exam 1 Dysrhythmias (NCLEX) Exam
Question & Answers
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 ANSWERS ✔✔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
ANSWERS ✔✔D
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
,Exam 1 Dysrhythmias (NCLEX) Exam
Question & Answers
(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 ANSWERS ✔✔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.
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?
, Exam 1 Dysrhythmias (NCLEX) Exam
Question & Answers
a. ST segment
b. Heart rate
c. Troponin
d. Myoglobin - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔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 ANSWERS ✔✔A
Clients with atrial fibrillation are prone to blood pooling in the atrium,
clotting, then embolizing. Heparin is used to prevent thrombus
development in the atrium and the consequence of embolization (i.e.,
stroke).
Question & Answers
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 ANSWERS ✔✔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
ANSWERS ✔✔D
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
,Exam 1 Dysrhythmias (NCLEX) Exam
Question & Answers
(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 ANSWERS ✔✔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.
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?
, Exam 1 Dysrhythmias (NCLEX) Exam
Question & Answers
a. ST segment
b. Heart rate
c. Troponin
d. Myoglobin - CORRECT ANSWERS ✔✔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 ANSWERS ✔✔A
Clients with atrial fibrillation are prone to blood pooling in the atrium,
clotting, then embolizing. Heparin is used to prevent thrombus
development in the atrium and the consequence of embolization (i.e.,
stroke).
