A patient is admitted to the cardiac care unit from the emergency ...

[Wadzanai]

A patient is admitted to the cardiac care unit from the emergency department. He is receiving amiodarone (Cordarone), because his frequent runs of ventricular tachycardia have proved refractory to other drugs.
 
  The rationale for using this very toxic, potentially ventricular antidysrhythmic drug is that it
  a. delays action potential.
  b. delays repolarization.
  c. opens calcium and sodium channels.
  d. vasoconstricts peripheral vessels.

Question 2

A patient was being worked up for frequent premature ventricular beats. He had been taking quinidine, and 2 days ago, he was admitted for an acute myocardial infarction.
 
  His QT interval has been elongating, and the nurse is not surprised to note which dysrhythmia?
  a. Torsades de pointes
  b. Supraventricular tachycardia
  c. Sinus arrhythmia
  d. Junctional tachycardia

[Joy Chen]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Amiodarone delays repolarization.
Amiodarone increases action potential.
Amiodarone blocks calcium and sodium channels.
Amiodarone promotes peripheral vessel vasodilation.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
QT elongation often is associated with torsades de pointes.
Sustained ventricular tachycardia could also occur, but not supraventricular tachycardia.
Sinus arrhythmia and junctional tachycardia are not anticipated with an elongated QT interval.

[Wadzanai]

Excellent

[atrochim]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it