Ch 6 Atrial Dysrhythmias Flashcards
Ectopic Impulse
An electrical impulse that comes from outside of the normal pacemaker site or electrical conduction pathway
What does PAC stand for
Premature Atrial Complexes
How to identify a PAC
P Wave occurs early
Positive deflection and sometimes not seen
Bigeminy
Occurs every 2nd complex
Trigeminy
Occurs every 3rd complex
Quadgeminy
Occurs every 4th complex
What does WAP stand for
Wandering Atrial Pacemaker
How to identify WAP
3 + different P waves
Heart rate 60-100
WAP is normal in who?
Children, older adults, well conditioned athletes
WAP can also be related to?
(Negative)
Organic heart disease
Drug toxicity
What is Wandering Atrial Pacemaker?
A rhythm in which the Pacemaker site shifts between the SA Node and other sites in the Atria or AV Junction
What does MAT stand for?
Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia
How to identify MAT
3+ different P Waves
100-150 bpm
What usually triggers MAT?
Acute Emphysema
Congestive Heart Failure
Acute mitral valve regurgitation
What do you do if you see MAT on a rhythm strip?
Report to the licensed practitioner. Monitor patients vital signs and condition
What is an Atrial Flutter
Occurs when rapid impulse originates in atrial tissue. Atria is not coordinated
How to identify Atrial Flutter
Sawtooth pattern, F waves constant
Atrial rate: 250-350 bpm
How to calculate atrial rate in an Atrial Flutter?
(Ventricular rate)×(number of Flutters per QRS complex)
What is Atrial Fibrillation
A-Fib
Occurs when electrical impulses come from areas of multiple ectopic foci. Whole atrium quivers
What is Atrial Fibrillation
A-Fib
Occurs when electrical impulses come from areas of multiple ectopic foci. Whole atrium quivers
How to identify Atrial Fibrillation
Chaotic atrial electrical activity
Irregular R-R intervals
What is dangerous about A-Fib?
Blood clots are prone to forming in the atria and can travel which can block blood from going to places
A patient with AFib is at an increased risk of developing?
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA or Stroke)
Myocardial Infarction (heart attack)
Pulmonary embolism (PE)
Renal Infarction
