Junctional Tachycardia

Question 1

What is the clinical significance of junctional tachycardia?

Answer 1

Depends on rate, underlying cause and severity of accompanying cardiac disease
Higher rate = compromises cardiac output and loss of atrial rate

Question 2

What rhythm has a rate of between 100-200 bpm, inverted P wave before during or after QRS, normal QRS and T wave?

Answer 2

Junctional tachycardia

Question 3

How do you treat junctional tachycardia?

Answer 3

Treat underlying cause
Digoxin toxicity - discontinue digoxin
Symptomatic = use medication to slow e.g. Amidarone
Temporary pacemaker to reset rhythm
Abalation therapy for recurrent junctional tachycardia then permanent pacemaker

Question 4

What are the key nursing priorities for a pt with junctional tachycardia?

Answer 4

Monitor for signs of decreased cardiac output, check potassium and digoxin levels

Question 5

When does junctional tachycardia occur?

Answer 5

When an irritable focus from the AV junction has enhanced automaticity, overriding the SA node to function as the hearts pacemaker