A&C practice Dysrhythmias #2
A nurse is interpreting the ECG strip of a client who has bradycardia. Which of the following cardiac components should the nurse identify as the role of the P wave
Atrial depolarization The P wave reflects atrial depolarization, typically initiated in the sinoatrial node.
A nurse in an urgent care center is assessing a client who reports a sudden onset of irregular palpitations, fatigue, and dizziness. The nurse finds a rapid and irregular heart rate with significant pulse deficit. Which of the following dysrhythmias should the nurse expect to find on the ECG.
Atrial fibrillation Atrial fibrillation causes a disorganized twitching of the atrial muscles. The rate is irregular with no visible P waves. The ventricular response is irregular which results in an irregular pulse and a pulse deficit.
A nurse is assessing a client who has atrial fibrillation. Which of the following pulse characteristics should the nurse expect?
Irregular With atrial fibrillation, multiple ectopic foci stimulate the atria to contract. The AV node is unable to transmit all of these impulses to the ventricles, resulting in a pattern of highly irregular ventricular contractions and thus an irregular pulse.
A nurse on a telemetry unit is caring for a client who has premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). While sitting in a chair, the client reports feeling lightheaded. If the client is having PVCs, which of the following findings should the nurse expect when auscultating the client's apical pulse?
Irregular pulsations PVCs are early ventricular depolarizations with a pause immediately afterwards. That pause in the usual heart rhythm results in an irregular force and rate on palpation of a peripheral pulse and an irregular beat on auscultation of the apical pulse. PVCs have a wide variety of causes. Clients typically perceive them as "palpitations" and can feel lightheaded if they occur frequently.
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. The nurse should instruct the client to monitor for which of the following complications?
Pulmonary embolism Altered atrial contractions can cause blood pooling and thrombus formation. The client is at risk for developing a pulmonary embolism or embolic stroke. The client should monitor and report immediately manifestations, such as shortness of breath, or neurological changes.
A nurse is monitoring a client who is on telemetry. Which of the following findings on the ECG strip should the nurse recognize as normal sinus rhythm?
The P wave is before the QRS complex The nurse should recognize that in normal sinus rhythm the P wave, representing atrial depolarization, falls before the QRS wave.
A nurse is caring for a client who has an elevated potassium level and is on a cardiac monitor. The nurse is aware that hyperkalemia may be associated with changes to the T-wave. on the graphic, point and click on the area of the ECG that represents the T-wave.
BOX ON THE FAR RIGHT. This is the T-wave. The ECG waveform of a client who has hyperkalemia will have a tall, peaked T wave. It is usually seen when the potassium level is 6 mEq/L or higher.
