Which of the following is a contraindication for digoxin administration?         A. Blood pressure of 140/90.      B. Heart rate above 80.      C. Heart rate below 60.      D. Respiratory rate above 20.           Correct Answer: C. Heart rate below 60. The apical heart rate must be monitored during therapy with… Read More »

When administering dopamine (Intropin), it is most important for the nurse to know that:         A. The drug’s action varies according to the dose.      B. The drug may be used instead of fluid replacement.      C. The drug cannot be directly mixed in solutions containing bicarbonate or aminophylline.      D. The lowest dose to produce the… Read More »

Dobutamine (Dobutrex) improves cardiac output and is indicated for use in all of the following conditions except:         A. Septic shock      B. Congestive heart failure      C. Arrhythmias      D. Pulmonary congestion           Correct Answer: C. Arrhythmias Dobutamine (Dobutrex) is not used to treat arrhythmias. Dobutamine is approved by the Food and… Read More »

Conduction defects will most likely be an adverse associated with the use of:         A. verapamil (Isoptin)      B. nifedipine (Adalat CC)      C. diltiazem (Cardizem)      D. felodipine (Plendil)           Correct Answer: A. verapamil (Isoptin). Verapamil (Isoptin) has the strongest chronotropic effect and will cause a delay in conduction at the… Read More »

Which of the following calcium channel blockers has the most potent peripheral smooth muscle dilator effect?         A. diltiazem (Cardizem)      A. diltiazem (Cardizem)      B. nifedipine (Adalat CC)      C. nimodipine (Nymalize)      D. verapamil (Calan)      Correct Answer: B. nifedipine (Adalat CC) Nifedipine has the strongest peripheral smooth muscle dilator effect of all the… Read More »

Which of the following adverse reactions is found more often in volume-depleted elderly clients?         A. Bradycardia      B. Conduction defects      C. Ankle edema      D. Hypotension           Correct Answer: D. Hypotension Hypotension is more likely to occur in the elderly. Vital signs can be a key assessment in volume status.… Read More »

Which of the following calcium channel blockers is used to counteract or prevent cerebral vasospasm?         A. verapamil      B. nimodipine      C. nifedipine      D. felodipine           Correct Answer: B. nimodipine Nimodipine is given in the neurologic client to prevent cerebral vasospasm. Nimodipine should be given to patients with no neurological… Read More »

Which of the following effects of calcium channel blockers causes a reduction in blood pressure?         A. Increased cardiac output.      B. Decreased peripheral vascular resistance.      C. Decreased renal blood flow.      D. Calcium influx into cardiac muscles.           Correct Answer: B. Decreased peripheral vascular resistance. One of the effects of… Read More »

Jason James is taking ß blockers, all of the following should be included in his assessment except:         A. Pulmonary function tests      B. Baseline ECG      C. Glucose level      D. Blood pressure           Correct Answer: A. Pulmonary function tests Unless the client has a history of pulmonary disease and pulmonary function… Read More »

Routine laboratory monitoring in clients taking ß blockers should include:         A. Sodium      B. Glucose      C. Thyrotropin      D. Creatine phosphokinase           Correct Answer: B. Glucose ß blockers influence glucose metabolism. Beta-3 receptors induce the breakdown of fat cells and are less clinically relevant at present. Blockade of these receptors… Read More »