Atrial Fibrillation

Question 1

Atrial fibrillation is described as a: ______

Answer 1

Cardiac dysrhythmia

Question 2

Is there an irregular rhythm or irregular rate with Atrial Fibrillation?

Answer 2

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular rhythm

There may or may not be an irregular rate with atrial fibrillation

Question 3

What is happening with electrical impulses during atrial fibrillation?

Answer 3

Ectopic/Random impulses are rapidly firing at once within the atria and take over the SA node
Atria over rides the SA node as the pacemaker
Atrial rate chaotic and rapid

Question 4

Why is the ventricular rate usually regular with atrial fibrillation?

Answer 4

The AV node blocks most of the ectopic/random impulses sent by the atria
Ventricular rate then has the ability to be regular (between 60-100 bpm)

Question 5

What type of action is occurring within the atria during atrial fibrillation?

Answer 5

The atria is quivering/fibrillating due to the rapid and chaotic rate from ectopic impulses
Due to the quivering/fibrillating, the atria cannot complete the diastole and systole phases completely

Question 6

What happens with blood flow in the atria during atrial fibrillation?

Answer 6

Blood remains in the atrial chambers because it is unable to empty out (Due to quivering/fibrillating)
Blood stasis within the atria results in increased risk for developing a thrombus
Increased risk for developing a stroke

Question 7

What is the medical term for stroke?

Answer 7

Cerebrovascular Attack (CVA)

Question 8

What are the signs and symptoms of a Cerebrovascular Attack?

Answer 8

Hemiplegia
Hemiparesis
Facial drooping
Slurred Speech

Question 9

Does the heart rate stay consistent when a patient is in atrial fibrillation? Or does it jump around?

Answer 9

It jumps around and fluctuates about 20-30 beats per minute.

Question 10

List the risk factors for developing atrial fibrillation

Answer 10

Older age (65 y/o or greater)
Smoker
Heart valve disease
Heart failure
Hypertension
Surgery
Medications

Question 11

List the signs and symptoms of atrial fibrillation

Answer 11

The patient may be asymptomatic
If symptoms are present, they may include:
Heart palpitation
Faint/Weak radial pulses
Fatigue
Weakness
SOB

Question 12

What is the goal of treatment for atrial fibrillation?

Answer 12

To control both heart rate and heart rhythm
To prevent a thrombus from forming
To prevent a stoke

Question 13

What medication drug classes can be prescribed either individually or together to control and/or treat Atrial Fibrillation?

Answer 13

Beta Blocker
Calcium Channel Blocker
Antidysrhythmic Agent
Anticoagulant or Anti-platelet