Anti-dysrhythmic classes
Common Medications
Mechanisms of Action
Side Effects & Monitoring
Nursing Interventions
100

This class of antidysrhythmic drugs blocks sodium channels 

What are class I antidysrhythmics?

100

This medication is the first-line drug for symptomatic bradycardia

What is atropine?

100

Beta-blockers reduce heart rate by blocking these receptors

What are beta-1 adrenergic receptors?

100

A common side effect of beta blockers that requires monitoring?

What is bradycardia?

100

Before giving a beta blocker the nurse must check these two vitals signs

What are heart rate and blood pressure?

200

Beta blockers belong to this class of antidysrhythmic drugs

What is class II?

200

This drug is used to treat supraventricular tachycardia and causes a brief asystole

What is adenosine?

200

This ion channel is blocked by Class III antiarrhythmics 

What are potassium channels?

200

Amiodarone requires monitoring of these three systems due to long term toxicities

What are the lungs, thyroid, and liver?

200

After administering adenosine the nurse should warn the patient about this expected feeling

What is a brief pause/asystole or chest discomfort?

300

Amiodarone and sotalol are in this class

What is Class III (potassium channel blockers)?

300

This Class III drug treats atrial and ventricular dysrhythmias but has many toxicities 

What is amiodarone?

300

Adenosine works by slowing conduction through this node

What is the AV node?

300

This is the most common adverse effect of diltiazem

What is peripheral edema?

300

A patient is on amiodarone the nurse should notify the provider if there is any change in heart rate greater than this or less than this 

What is greater than 100 or less than 60?

400

Calcium channel blockers like diltiazem and verapamil are in this class of antidysrhythmics 

What is class IV?

400

This beta blocker is commonly used acutely to control rate in atrial fibrillation

What is metoprolol?

400

Calcium channel blockers decrease heart rate and contractility by inhibiting this ion's influx

What is calcium? 

400

Lidocaine toxicity commonly affects this body system

What is the central nervous system?

400

Patients on amiodarone should avoid this due to photosensitivity 

What is sun exposure?

500

The class that slows conduction by decreasing automaticity through sodium channel blockage and is subdivided into IA, IB, and IC

What is Class I?

500

This sodium channel blocker (Class IB) is used for ventricular dysrhythmias and can cause CNS toxicity

What is lidocaine? 

500

Amiodarone affects multiple ion channels, but it primarily prolongs this part of the cardiac action potential

What is the repolarization phase?

500

This occurs in almost all patients treated for more than 2 months with amiodarone and can lead to blurry vision

What is corneal microdeposits?

500

For digoxin therapy, nurses should monitor for this common electrolyte imbalance that increases digoxin toxicity risk

What is hypokalemia?