Cardiac Monitoring Mar 3 Flashcards
What is Aberrant?
Abnormal
Aberrant refers to any deviation from the normal conduction pathway.
Define Arrhythmia.
Irregularity or absence of a heartbeat.
See dysrhythmia.
What is Asystole?
(Cardiac Arrest, Ventricular Standstill): The absence of a heartbeat.
Asystole indicates a critical condition requiring immediate intervention.
Define Atrioventricular Block.
A cardiac impulse conduction disturbance in the atrioventricular (AV) node, bundle of His, or its branches.
What is an Automatic Beat?
An impulse arising in an automatic focus, independent of the dominant rhythm.
What does AV Dissociation mean?
The independent beating of the atria and ventricles.
Define Bigeminy.
A normal beat alternating with a premature beat.
What is a Block in cardiac conduction?
A pathologic delay or interruption in impulse conduction.
What characterizes Bradycardia?
A heart rate slower than the normal for that pacemaker site; e.g., less than 60 beats/minute for the sinoatrial (SA) node.
Define Bradydysrhythmia.
Any rhythm disturbance causing a slow heart rate (less than 60 beats/minute).
What is a Bundle Branch Block?
An abnormality in cardiac impulse conduction through the fibers of the bundle of His.
What is a Compensatory Pause?
The period following a premature contraction during which the heart regulates itself, allowing the SA node to resume normal conduction.
Define Ectopic Beat.
A beat originating from a source of cardiac stimulus other than the SA node.
What does EKG (or ECG) stand for?
Electrocardiogram; a graphic tracing of the electrical activity of the heart.
What is Electromechanical Dissociation?
Electrical activity without evidence of myocardial contraction.
Define Escape Beat.
An automatic beat that occurs after an interval longer than the dominant cycle.
What is Conduction Time?
The interval between the origination of an impulse at the SA node and the stimulation of ventricular contraction.
What does Coupling refer to in cardiac terms?
The relationship of a premature beat and the preceding beat.
What is Dysrhythmia?
Any disturbance in the normal rhythm of the heartbeat.
Define Extrasystole.
An ectopic beat that occurs before the next dominant beat.
What is Fibrillation?
Quivering or uncoordinated muscular contraction.
What is a Fusion Beat?
Simultaneous activation of one chamber of the heart by two foci.
What is Group Beating?
A pattern of repetitive QRS complexes.
Define Heart Block.
Impairment of cardiac conduction so that electrical impulses from the atria fail to pass through the AV node to the ventricles.