Certified Hospice and Palliative Assistant (CHPNA) Practice Test

Which of the following is a side effect of methadone?

1. Increased energy

2. Prolonged QT interval

3. Weight gain

4. High blood pressure

The correct answer is: Prolonged QT interval

The side effect of prolonged QT interval associated with methadone is significant because it indicates an alteration in the electrical activity of the heart. The QT interval is a measurement taken from an electrocardiogram (ECG) that reflects the time it takes for the heart's ventricles to repolarize after contraction. If this interval is prolonged, it can lead to serious complications such as torsades de pointes, a type of life-threatening arrhythmia. Methadone, as a synthetic opioid used for pain management and as part of drug addiction detox programs, has the potential to affect cardiac conduction. Patients receiving methadone should be monitored for this side effect, especially if they have other risk factors such as concurrent use of medications that also prolong the QT interval, underlying cardiac conditions, or electrolyte imbalances. The other options, while related to potential effects of various medications or conditions, do not directly correlate with the known side effects of methadone. Increased energy, weight gain, and high blood pressure are not commonly associated with methadone. Understanding the cardiac implications of medications like methadone is crucial for safe patient management in hospice and palliative care settings.