Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Classification, Mechanisms, and Clinical Uses

Question 1

Which antiarrhythmic drug is frequently used in the management of atrial fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

Amiodarone

Answer

Lidocaine

Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Verapamil

Question 2

What is the key difference between Class Ia and Class Ib antiarrhythmic drugs?

Accepted Answer

Class Ib drugs have a higher affinity for slow sodium channels.

Answer

Class Ia drugs have a faster recovery time.

Answer

Class Ia drugs are more effective in treating ventricular arrhythmias.

Answer

Class Ib drugs are more commonly associated with torsades de pointes.

Question 3

What is the primary mechanism of action of verapamil?

Accepted Answer

Ca2+-channel blockade

Answer

Na+/Ca2+ exchanger inhibition

Answer

Adenosine receptor activation

Answer

Sympathetic blockade

Question 4

What is a potential adverse effect of antiarrhythmic drug therapy?

Accepted Answer

Proarrhythmia

Answer

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Answer

Anorexia

Answer

Hepatotoxicity

Question 5

Which factor plays a pivotal role in determining the effectiveness of an antiarrhythmic drug?

Accepted Answer

The specific type of arrhythmia being treated

Answer

The patient's age

Answer

The patient's weight

Answer

The patient's gender

Question 6

For an elderly patient with renal impairment, what is the recommended daily dosage of digoxin?

Accepted Answer

0.125 mg

Answer

0.25 mg

Answer

0.5 mg

Answer

1 mg

Question 7

Which class of antiarrhythmic drugs is primarily used to treat ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and torsades de pointes?

Accepted Answer

Class III

Answer

Class I

Answer

Class II

Answer

Class IV

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of a beta-blocker used as an antiarrhythmic drug?

Accepted Answer

Metoprolol

Answer

Lidocaine

Answer

Amiodarone

Answer

Digoxin

Question 9

Which of the following adverse effects is most commonly associated with the use of amiodarone?

Accepted Answer

QT prolongation

Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Answer

Dizziness

Question 10

What is the primary mechanism of action of adenosine in treating supraventricular tachycardia?

Accepted Answer

Activation of adenosine receptors

Answer

Inhibition of phosphodiesterase

Answer

Blockade of sodium channels

Answer

Stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors

Question 11

What is the first-line treatment for ventricular fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

Cardioversion

Answer

Amiodarone

Answer

Lidocaine

Answer

Procainamide

Question 12

Which antiarrhythmic drug has an increased risk of causing torsades de pointes when taken with azole antifungals?

Accepted Answer

Quinidine

Answer

Amiodarone

Answer

Diltiazem

Answer

Verapamil

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a Vaughan-Williams classification for antiarrhythmic drugs?

Accepted Answer

Class IV

Answer

Class IA

Answer

Class IB

Answer

Class IC

Question 14

Which mechanism of action is associated with Class III antiarrhythmic drugs?

Accepted Answer

Prolongation of action potential duration

Answer

Sodium channel blockade

Answer

Potassium channel blockade

Answer

Shortening of action potential duration

Question 15

Which adverse effect is commonly associated with lidocaine, a Class IB antiarrhythmic drug?

Accepted Answer

Neurotoxicity

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Hypotension

Question 16

How does amiodarone, a Class III antiarrhythmic drug, primarily exert its antiarrhythmic effect?

Accepted Answer

Prolongation of effective refractory period

Answer

Sodium channel blockade

Answer

Potassium channel blockade

Answer

Shortening of effective refractory period

Question 17

Which condition is a contraindication for propafenone, a Class IC antiarrhythmic drug?

Accepted Answer

Uncontrolled heart failure

Answer

Sick sinus syndrome

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Question 18

What is the primary mechanism by which digoxin, a cardiac glycoside, exerts its antiarrhythmic effect?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of the sodium-potassium pump

Answer

Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system

Answer

Blockade of calcium channels

Answer

Enhancement of vagal tone

Question 19

Which advantage does amiodarone offer over other antiarrhythmic drugs?

Accepted Answer

Lower incidence of proarrhythmic effects

Answer

Fewer drug-drug interactions

Answer

Faster onset of action

Answer

Shorter elimination half-life

Question 20

Which of the following antiarrhythmic drugs belongs to Class I?

Accepted Answer

Disopyramide

Answer

Amiodarone

Answer

Verapamil

Answer

Propranolol

Question 21

Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of Lidocaine?

Accepted Answer

Fast sodium channel blockade

Answer

Potassium channel opening

Answer

Adenosine receptor agonism

Answer

Slow calcium channel blockade

Question 22

Amiodarone is commonly used for the treatment of:

Accepted Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Asthma

Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Stable angina

Question 23

Verapamil is contraindicated in patients with:

Accepted Answer

Sick sinus syndrome

Answer

Renal failure

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Asthma

Question 24

Regular monitoring of serum drug concentration is necessary when using:

Accepted Answer

Propafenone

Answer

Heart rate

Answer

Blood pressure

Answer

Respiratory rate

Question 25

Ivabradine belongs to which generation of antiarrhythmic drugs?

Accepted Answer

Newer

Answer

Verapamil

Answer

Quinidine

Answer

Lidocaine

Question 26

Regarding the use of antiarrhythmic drugs in pregnancy:

Accepted Answer

Some drugs are contraindicated in specific trimesters

Answer

Safety is the same for all drugs in all trimesters

Answer

All drugs are safe to use throughout pregnancy

Answer

Antiarrhythmic drugs are not used during pregnancy