CMT Pharmacology and Cardiac Medications Flashcards
6 cards from real CMT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CMT Pharmacology and Cardiac Medications flashcards as text
Which medication prolongs the QT interval and can predispose a patient to torsades de pointes?
Answer: Sotalol
Sotalol, a Class III antiarrhythmic, prolongs the QT interval and carries a risk of inducing torsades de pointes.
A patient on heparin infusion shows a new rhythm change. What primary concern related to heparin should the CMT be aware of that affects cardiac risk?
Answer: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) can cause thrombotic events
HIT is a serious complication where heparin causes platelet aggregation, leading to potentially fatal thrombosis including coronary events.
Beta-blockers such as metoprolol affect the cardiac monitor tracing by:
Answer: Prolonging the PR interval and decreasing heart rate
Beta-blockers slow AV nodal conduction, prolonging the PR interval and reducing heart rate on the ECG tracing.
Which antiarrhythmic drug is typically used for acute management of stable wide-complex ventricular tachycardia?
Answer: Amiodarone
Amiodarone IV is a first-line agent for stable ventricular tachycardia due to its broad spectrum of antiarrhythmic activity.
A patient receiving IV potassium replacement is on continuous cardiac monitoring. The CMT should monitor for:
Answer: Peaked T waves and widened QRS
Hyperkalemia produces peaked (tall, narrow, tent-shaped) T waves and QRS widening, which can progress to fatal arrhythmias.
Calcium channel blockers like diltiazem are used to control ventricular rate in atrial fibrillation primarily by:
Answer: Slowing AV nodal conduction
Diltiazem blocks calcium channels in the AV node, slowing conduction and reducing the number of atrial impulses conducted to the ventricles.