WHICH RHYTHM? WHICH DRUG?
First‑line drug for stable SVT
What is adenosine?
First‑line vasopressor for septic shock
What is norepinephrine?
A drug that needs frequent INR checks.
What is warfarin?
This heart failure medication is an ARNI that replaces ACE inhibitors but must never be given with them.
What is sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto)?
Electrolyte imbalance that increases digoxin toxicity
What is hypokalemia?
IV medication commonly used for stable VT
What is amiodarone?
Vasopressor that causes reflex bradycardia
What is phenylephrine?
This drug needs aPTT checks every 6 hours during IV infusion.
What is heparin?
This IV medication improves contractility and causes vasodilation but may significantly lower blood pressure.
What is milrinone?
Class IC antiarrhythmic that worsens heart failure
What is propafenone?
An antiarrhythmic that treats ventricular dysrhythmias post‑MI, rarely used due to high costs.
What is lidocaine?
Inotrope that increases contractility but may lower BP
What is dobutamine?
An injectable anticoagulant that does not require routine monitoring.
What is enoxaparin?
This heart failure drug lowers heart rate only by acting on the SA node and does not affect blood pressure.
What is ivabradine (Corlanor)?
Non‑selective beta‑blocker that can worsen asthma
What is propranolol?
Rate‑control drug for atrial fibrillation that works at the AV node
What is diltiazem?
Vasopressor with alpha AND beta effects, used in cardiac arrest
What is epinephrine?
Thrombolytic used for ischemic stroke
What is alteplase (tPA)?
This medication requires the nurse to hold the dose if the apical heart rate is below 60 beats per minute.
What is digoxin?
Antiarrhythmic with an extremely long half‑life
What is amiodarone?
It can be given for ventricular dysrhythmias and AFib when others do not work.
What is procainamide?
Medication that changes what it does depending on dosing.
What is dopamine?
Medications that are often given together after a stroke.
What are aspirin and clopidogrel?
This electrolyte imbalance greatly increases the risk of toxicity when a patient is taking digoxin.
What is hypokalemia?
SVT drug that must be given rapidly and followed by a flush
What is adenosine?