Arrhythmias Flashcards
Any disturbance in the rate, regularity, site of origin, or conduction of the cardiac electrical impulse
arrhythmia
Not all arrhythmias are dangerous. True or false?
true
Symptoms of arrhythmias: (5)
PASS with a C
- palpitations
- syncope
- angina
- CHF
- sudden death
Causes of arrhythmias:
HIS BEDS
- hypoxia
- ischemia
- sympathetic stimulation
- drugs
- electrolyte disturbances
- bradycardia
- stretch
What lead yields the most information?
Lead II
What is an ambulatory monitor that a patient wears for 24-48 hours?
holter monitor
This is better for rhythm disturbances that happen infrequently. It records 3-5 min of data when the patient experiences symptoms.
event monitor
To calculate heart rate, count the # of r waves in a ___ second strip then multiply by 10
6
Assess the P waves:
- Are there P waves?
- Do they look alike?
- Do they occur regularly?
- Is there 1 P wave before each QRS?
Normal QRS complex duration:
0.04 - 0.12 seconds
Types of arrhythmias (4)
arrhythmias of sinus origin
ectopic rhythms
conduction blocks
preexcitation syndromes
What rhythm is commonly seen in CHF?
sinus tachycardia
Normal but slightly irregular
sinus arrhythmia
Inspiration decelerates HR. True or false?
false
Sinus arrest
junctional escape rhythm
No P waves
Most common escape rhythm
Rate = ___ to ____ BPM
How to slow or terminate this rhythm?
paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
150-250
carotid massage
Does carotid massage increase/decrease block?
atrial flutter
increases
Does carotid massage increase/decrease block?
atrial fibrillation
decreases ventricular rate
Does carotid massage increase/decrease block?
multifocal atrial tachycardia
no effect
has at least 3 different p wave morphologies
Note QRS is wide and bizarre
PVC
Bigeminy = 1 nl beat to 1 PVC
Trigeminy = 2 nl beats to 1 PVC
Run of 3 or more PVCs is called:
rate is ___ - ____ BPM
ventricular tachycardia
120-200
Seen in dying hearts
no true QRS complexes
no cardiac output
ventricular fibrillation
