The patient says to the nurse, "My neighbor said my antidysrhythmic drug can actually cause me to have irregular heartbeats. How can this be?" What is the nurse's best answer?
1. "Your medication blocks the flow of the electrolytes in your heart, and this can cause irregular beats."
2. "It is better to discuss you medication concerns with a professional, not a lay person like your neighbor."
3. "You must take two baby aspirins every other day to avoid the irregular heartbeats."
4. "Your medication is not the problem; it is when you mix it with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that you develop irregular beats."
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Most antidysrhythmic drugs act by interfering with myocardial action potentials, blocking the action of sodium, potassium, and calcium channels and causing some irregular beats. Mixing the medication with over-the-counter (OTC) medications might result in irregular beats, but this is not the best answer. Anticoagulant medication is sometimes indicated, but it does not require taking two doses of baby aspirin. Although it is best to discuss medications with a professional, this response does not answer the patient's question.
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