The nurse understands that which of the following medications is a potassium channel blocker?
Amiodarone
Digoxin
Verapamil
Carvedilol
The Correct Answer is A
A. Amiodarone: Amiodarone is a Class III antiarrhythmic that primarily works by blocking potassium channels, thereby prolonging repolarization and the action potential duration. It is used to manage various atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.
B. Digoxin: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases myocardial contractility and slows conduction through the AV node. It does not affect potassium channels directly but rather works by inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase pump.
C. Verapamil: Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker (Class IV antiarrhythmic) that slows conduction through the AV node and is used to treat supraventricular tachyarrhythmias and hypertension. It has no significant effect on potassium channels.
D. Carvedilol: Carvedilol is a non-selective beta-blocker with some alpha-blocking effects. It reduces heart rate and blood pressure but does not block potassium channels or have antiarrhythmic properties in that classification.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. BP 105/70 manually & flat neck veins: This blood pressure is within a low-normal range, and flat neck veins suggest no evidence of right-sided heart failure or cardiac tamponade. Though the patient needs evaluation, these findings are not emergent.
B. Equal breath sounds with a respiratory rate of 28: A mildly elevated respiratory rate can indicate distress, but equal breath sounds suggest the absence of pneumothorax or hemothorax. While the patient is symptomatic, this finding alone doesn't demand the most urgent intervention.
C. Distended neck veins & muffled heart sounds: These are classic signs of cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening emergency that can occur due to pacemaker lead perforation. This condition results in fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac, impairing cardiac output and requiring immediate intervention such as pericardiocentesis.
D. Heart rate 105 & respiratory rate of 28: These are signs of physiological compensation and indicate stress or early decompensation. However, without signs like neck vein distention or muffled heart sounds, they are less critical than the findings in option C.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Prepare the client for electrical cardioversion: Electrical cardioversion is reserved for unstable patients (e.g., hypotension, altered mental status, chest pain, or signs of shock). This client, while tachycardic, has a blood pressure of 106/60, which indicates relative stability. Cardioversion is not the first-line intervention in stable supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).
B. Perform a carotid massage on the client: Carotid sinus massage is a vagal maneuver used to slow conduction through the AV node and can terminate paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). It is a non-invasive, first-line intervention for a stable patient with narrow-complex tachycardia, as shown on the ECG strip.
C. Administer lidocaine 1 mg/hour: Lidocaine is an antiarrhythmic used primarily to treat ventricular arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. It is not indicated for atrial or supraventricular tachycardias and would not address the underlying rhythm.
D. Ask the client if they drank a caffeinated beverage: While excessive caffeine intake can contribute to tachycardia, asking about caffeine use does not address the acute arrhythmia or guide immediate treatment. It may be part of history-taking but is not a priority intervention in this situation.
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