CH5 Rhythm Strip Interpretation And Sinus Rhythm

Question 1

5 steps in analyzing the Rhythm strip?

Answer 1

1) determine the ECG rhythm or Regularity
2)determine atrial and ventricular rates
3) identifying the P Wave Morphology
4) measure the PR interval
5) measuring QRS Duration and analyzing morphology

Question 2

Morphology

Answer 2

Overall form and structure (shape)

Question 3

Normal Sinus Rythm Criteria

Answer 3

Rhythm: intervals b/w 2 P and 2 R waves occur in regular pattern
Rate : atrial and Ventricular 60-100 bpm
PWave: same shap & are usually upright. P Wave in front of every QRS complex
PR Interval: 0.12-0.20 secs
QRS: 0.6-0.10 secs. Morphology is equal

Question 4

Neurological signs of decreased cardiac output

Answer 4

Change in metal status
Light-headedness
Dizziness, Confusion
Loss of consciousness

Question 5

Cardiac signs of decreased cardiac output

Answer 5

Chest pain, Palpitation
Chest discomfort
Enlarged cardiac size
Congestive Heart Failure

Question 6

Respiratory signs of decreased CO

Answer 6

Difficulty breathing
Shortness of breath
Frothy septum
Fluid in lungs
Lung congestion

Question 7

Urinary sings of decreased CO

Answer 7

Decreased output of less than 30mL in 1 hour

Question 8

Peripheral signs of decreased CO

Answer 8

Hypotension
Pale skin
Skin cool and classy to the touch

Question 9

Sinus bradycardia

Answer 9

Slow heart rate, usually less than 60bpm

Question 10

Sinus Tachycardia

Answer 10

A fast heart rate. 100-150 bpm

Question 11

Sinus Dysrhythmia

Answer 11

P-P and R-R progressively widen and Narrow. Follows breathing pattern

Condition on which the heart rate remains within normal limits but is influenced by respiratory cycle and variations of Vagal tone

Question 12

Vagas tone

Answer 12

A constant tension on the vagus nerve that causes the heart to beat more slowly

Question 13

What do you do if a patient with sinus dysrhythmia rate slows below 50 bpm?

Answer 13

Notify physician

Question 14

Asystole

Answer 14

A condition in which no rhythm or electrical current is traveling through the cardiac conduction system

Question 15

Sinus Arrest

Answer 15

Aka. Sinus pause
You will observe regularly occurring PQRSTs both before and after the arrest period. No electrical activity occurs during arrest period

Question 16

Syncope

Answer 16

Loss of consciousness

Question 17

Sinus Exit Block

Answer 17

Condition in which the SA node initiates an electrical impulse but the impulse is blocked and not conducted to the atria.
Aka. Sinus block or SA block

Question 18

How to identify SA block

Answer 18

Measure the R-R interval of the pause and it will be a direct multiple or ratio of the P-P interval