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P A R T 8
Drugs acting on the cardiovascular system
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C H E C K Y O U R U N D E R S T A N D I N G
Answers to the questions in this chapter can be found in
Appendix A at the back of this book.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Select the best response to the following.
1.
Cardiac contraction and relaxation are
controlled by:
a.
a specific area in the brain.
b.
the sympathetic nervous system.
c.
the autonomic nervous system.
d.
spontaneous impulses arising within the heart.
2.
Antiarrhythmic drugs alter the action potential
of the cardiac cells. Because they alter the action
potential, antiarrhythmic drugs often:
a.
cause heart failure.
b.
alter blood flow to the kidney.
c.
cause new arrhythmias.
d.
cause electrolyte disturbances.
3.
Because of the results of the CAST study:
a.
antiarrhythmics are now more widely used.
b.
antiarrhythmics are used as prophylactic
measures in situations that might lead to an
arrhythmia.
c.
antiarrhythmics are no longer used in Australia.
d.
antiarrhythmics are reserved for use in cases of
life-threatening arrhythmias.
4.
The drug of choice for the treatment of a
supraventricular tachycardia associated with
Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome is:
a.
digoxin.
b.
verapamil.
c.
lignocaine.
d.
adenosine.
5.
A person who is receiving an antiarrhythmic drug
needs:
a.
constant cardiac monitoring until stabilised.
b.
frequent blood tests, including drug levels.
c.
an antidepressant to deal with the psychological
depression.
d.
dietary changes to prevent irritation of the heart
muscle.
6.
A person is brought into the emergency department
with a potentially life-threatening ventricular
arrhythmia. Immediate treatment might include:
a.
a loading dose of digoxin.
b.
injection of quinidine.
c.
bolus and titrated doses of lignocaine.
d.
a loading dose of propafenone.
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
Select all that apply.
1.
The conduction system of the heart includes which
of the following?
a.
sinoatrial node
b.
sinuses of Valsalva
c.
atrial bundles
d.
Purkinje fibres
e.
coronary sinus
f.
bundle of His
2.
Arrhythmias or dysrhythmias can be caused by
which of the following?
a.
lack of oxygen to the heart muscle cells
b.
acidosis near a cell
c.
structural damage in the conduction pathway
through the heart
d.
vasodilation in the myocardial vascular bed
e.
thyroid hormone imbalance
f.
electrolyte imbalances
