Pacemakers Flashcards
failure to fire
no pacer spike
failure to capture
pacer fires, but no response from heart
demand pacing
only fires when HR drops below a certain rate
fixed rate pacing
asynchronous - risk of R on T
delivers preset rate regardless of intrinsic activity
EPS
evaluates & treats/ablates dysrhythmias
nursing care post EPS
assess site, stroke risk, neurovascular checks, respiratory assessment - risk of PE & pneumothorax
life vest education
vest must be on 24/7, avoid use of vibrating machinery, change battery daily, always have backups charged, call MD if it fires
pacemaker/ICD insertion
CXR to verify placement, site assessment, keep arm immobilized, monitor pain, HR & rhythm, pneumo risk
pacemaker/ICD education
avoid magnetic fields & MRIs, hand wand @ airport, medical alert card/bracelet; keep pacer card on you