Chapter 6- Arrhythmias

Description:
IMPORTANT NOTE – PLEASE READ FIRST: This continuing education assessment requires that you first purchase the text book: Pharmacotherapy Principles & Practice. Please go to our home page: http://www.rxugace.com/ and click on “Books” for more information Prior To Registering for this assessment.

Upon completion of the corresponding textbook chapter in Pharmacotherapy Principles & Practice and this on-line assessment, the reader should be able to:

1. Describe the phases of the cardiac action potential, compare and contrast the cellular ionic changes corresponding to each phase, and explain the relationship between the cardiac action potential and the electrocardiogram (ECG).
2. Describe the modified Vaughan Williams classification of antiarrhythmic drugs, and compare and contrast the effects of available antiarrhythmic drugs on ventricular conduction velocity, refractory period, automaticity, and inhibition of specific myocardial ion channels.
3. Compare and contrast the risk factors for and the features, mechanisms, etiologies, symptoms, and goals of therapy of: (1) sinus bradycardia; (2) atrioventricular (AV) nodal blockade; (3) atrial fibrillation (AF); (4) paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT); (5) ventricular premature depolarizations (VPDs); (6) ventricular tachycardia (VT; including torsades de pointes); and (7) ventricular fibrillation (VF).
4. Compare and contrast appropriate nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options for sinus bradycardia and AV nodal blockade.
5. Compare and contrast the mechanisms of action of drugs used for ventricular rate control, conversion to sinus rhythm and maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with AF, and explain the importance of anticoagulation for patients with AF.
6. Compare and contrast the mechanisms of action of drugs used for acute termination of PSVT.
7. Compare and contrast the role of drug therapy versus nonpharmacologic therapy for long-term prevention of recurrence of PSVT.
8. Describe the role of drug therapy for management of asymptomatic or symptomatic VPDs.
9. Compare and contrast the mechanisms of action of drugs used for the treatment of acute episodes of VT (including torsades de pointes), and describe options and indications for nonpharmacologic treatment of VT and VF.
10. Design individualized medication therapy treatment plans for patients with: (1) sinus bradycardia; (2) AV nodal blockade; (3) AF; (4) PSVT; (5) VPDs; (6) VT (including torsades de pointes); and (7) VF.

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