CCRP Pharmacology Flashcards

Which antiarrhythmic drug requires monitoring of thyroid function due to its iodine content?

Answer: Amiodarone

Amiodarone contains iodine and can cause thyroid dysfunction, requiring regular thyroid function monitoring.

A cardiac rehab specialist should know that diuretics may cause which electrolyte imbalance that can lead to arrhythmias?

Answer: Hypokalemia

Loop and thiazide diuretics can cause hypokalemia, which predisposes patients to dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.

When should a cardiac rehab patient be instructed to take sublingual nitroglycerin?

Answer: At the onset of chest pain or angina

Sublingual nitroglycerin should be taken at the onset of angina symptoms to rapidly relieve chest pain.

Aspirin therapy in cardiac rehabilitation patients functions primarily as which type of agent?

Answer: Antiplatelet

Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet aggregation, reducing the risk of thrombotic cardiovascular events.

Which effect does a beta-blocker have on the target heart rate calculation during cardiac rehabilitation exercise testing?

Answer: It attenuates the heart rate response, lowering the achieved maximum

Beta-blockers blunt the heart rate response to exercise, so standard age-predicted maximal heart rate formulas are unreliable for these patients.

CCRP professionals should recognize that clopidogrel (Plavix) is used post-PCI primarily to prevent which complication?

Answer: Stent thrombosis

Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet agent used alongside aspirin to prevent stent thrombosis after percutaneous coronary intervention.