Cardiology Test 4

Which statement is TRUE regarding P waves in atrial flutter? A. There are no P waves; flutter waves are present instead. B. The P waves are all tall and pointy. C. P waves change shape constantly. D. P waves have an atrial rate of about 100.

A. There are no P waves; flutter waves are present instead.

Atrial fibrillation is an ectopic rhythm. A. True B. False

A. True

Flutter waves are often described as sawtooth- or picket-fence-shaped waves. A. True B. False

A. True

In atrial flutter, the flutter waves are regular. A. True B. False

A. True

The atrial rate in atrial flutter is 250 to 350 BPM. A. True B. False

A. True

Atrial fibrillation is A. irregular. B. regular. C. regular but interrupted by pauses. D. regular but interrupted by premature beats.

A. irregular.

Sympathetic nerves are regulated primarily by: A. norepinephrine. B. epinephrine. C. adrenaline. D. cholinesterase.

A. norepinephrine.

What is the atrial rate range in atrial flutter? A. 60-80 bpm B. 250-350 bpm C. 80-110 bpm D. 120-160 bpm

B. 250-350 bpm

What is the P:QRS ratio in atrial flutter if the atrial rate is 300 BPM and the ventricular rate is 150 BPM? A. 1:1 B. 2:1 C. 4:1 D. 3:1

B. 2:1

Atrial fibrillation is routinely a reason to begin CPR. A. True B. False

B. False

Blood clots in the atria are associated with multifocal atrial tachycardia. A. True B. False

B. False

Both atrial fibrillation and multifocal atrial tachycardia have at least three different shapes of P waves. A. True B. False

B. False

Atrial fibrillation is characterized by which of the following findings? A. Rate less than 60 beats/min B. Irregularly irregular rhythm C. 1 P wave per QRS complex D. QRS complex > 0.14 s

B. Irregularly irregular rhythm

Atrial fibrillation can cause a drop in cardiac output because it causes A. the sinus node to fire more often. B. a loss of the atrial kick. C. the AV valves to remain open too long. D. the ventricles to contract more forcefully.

B. a loss of the atrial kick.

A major complication associated with atrial fibrillation is: A. pulmonary congestion and hypoxemia. B. clot formation in the fibrillating atria. C. a profound increase in the atrial kick. D. a significant reduction in atrial filling.

B. clot formation in the fibrillating atria.

Treatment to restore the diminished cardiac perfusion associated with atrial fibrillation would NOT include medications such as A. digitalis. B. ondansetron C. amiodarone. D. calcium channel blockers.

B. ondansetron

Atrial kick is defined as: A. pressure on the AV valves during ventricular contraction. B. the volume of blood that the atria contract to the ventricles. C. an attempt of the atria to contract against closed valves. D. the blood that flows passively into the ventricles.

B. the volume of blood that the atria contract to the ventricles.

Which of the following rhythms is characterized by the presence of "F" waves? A. Sinus arrhythmia B. Atrial fibrillation C. Atrial flutter D. Ventricular tachycardia

C. Atrial flutter

Atrial flutter is characterized by what kind of atrial waves? A. Tall, pointy P waves following the QRS complexes B. No atrial waves at all C. Zigzag or sawtooth-shaped waves between the QRS complexes D. P waves of uniform shape

C. Zigzag or sawtooth-shaped waves between the QRS complexes

Atrial fibrillation can be interpreted by noting: A. a regularly irregular rhythm with abnormal P waves. B. PR intervals that vary from complex to complex. C. an irregularly irregular rhythm and absent P waves. D. the presence of wide QRS complexes and a rapid rate.

C. an irregularly irregular rhythm and absent P waves.

Acetylcholinesterase is a naturally occurring chemical that: A. causes a natural slowing of the heart rate. B. increases epinephrine production. C. breaks down acetylcholine in the body. D. stimulates activity of the vagus nerve.

C. breaks down acetylcholine in the body.

Depolarization, the process by which muscle fibers are stimulated to contract, occurs when: A. cardiac muscle relaxes in response to a cellular influx of calcium. B. potassium ions escape from the cell through specialized channels. C. cell wall permeability changes and sodium rushes into the cell. D. calcium ions rapidly enter the cell, facilitating contraction.

C. cell wall permeability changes and sodium rushes into the cell.

Atrial flutter is almost always seen in patients with A. cardiac arrest. B. thyrotoxicosis. C. heart disease. D. acute heart attacks.

C. heart disease.

Atrial fibrillation has A. P waves with uniform shape. B. sawtooth-shaped waves between the QRS complexes. C. no P waves at all. D. P waves of multiple shapes.

C. no P waves at all.

A classic sign of atrial flutter is: A. a constant 2:1 conduction ratio. B. an irregular but consistent R-R interval. C. the presence of sawtooth F waves. D. a ventricular rate less than 100 beats/min.

C. the presence of sawtooth F waves

Blood clots collecting in the atria are a possible complication of what rhythm? A. PACs B. Sinus tachycardia C. Atrial tachycardia D. Atrial fibrillation

D. Atrial fibrillation

Which of the following prescribed medications would a patient with chronic atrial fibrillation MOST likely take? A. Plavix and Vasotec B. Cordarone and furosemide C. Lisinopril and aspirin D. Digitalis and Coumadin

D. Digitalis and Coumadin

Atrial flutter has an atrial rate A. between 40 and 60. B. greater than 100. C. between 60 and 100. D. between 250 and 350.

D. between 250 and 350.

Atrial flutter is characterized by A. P waves of varying shapes and regularly spaced QRS complexes. B. irregularly irregular pattern of QRS complexes. C. a run of six or more PACs in a row. D. regularly spaced V-shaped waves.

D. regularly spaced V-shaped waves.

Atrial fibrillation causes the atria to A. depolarize as a unit. B. contract forcefully. C. expel the blood backwards. D. wiggle instead of contract.

D. wiggle instead of contract.