Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) Practice Exam

A post-appendectomy patient with tachycardia is likely to receive which medication?

1. Lidocaine

2. Propanolol

3. Esmolol

4. Adenosine

The correct answer is: Adenosine

In the context of a post-appendectomy patient experiencing tachycardia, the choice of medication typically focuses on the need for rapid intervention in the presence of certain types of tachycardia, particularly supraventricular tachycardias. Adenosine is well-known for its rapid action in the event of acute episodes of tachycardia. It works by briefly blocking the conduction through the atrioventricular (AV) node, effectively interrupting the re-entry pathways and allowing for the restoration of normal sinus rhythm. The rapidity of adenosine's action makes it especially valuable in emergency situations where immediate effects are required, and its use is generally indicated for specific arrhythmias rather than for sustained management of chronic tachycardia. In contrast, the other medications listed—lidocaine, propranolol, and esmolol—serve different purposes. Lidocaine is primarily used for ventricular arrhythmias, while propranolol and esmolol are beta-blockers used for their longer-term control of heart rate and blood pressure but are not typically first-line treatments in acute tachycardia situations post-operatively. Thus, for the immediate management of tachycardia in this patient scenario, adenosine