Patients with Arrhythmias and Conduction Problems Flashcards
process of cardiac conduction
- electrical impulse generated at the SA node stimulates the atria to contract
- the impulse travels to the AV node, where there is a brief delay
- it then sweeps to the bundle of his and divides into the left and right bundle branches
- conduction to the purkinjie fibers causes contraction of the ventricles
signs and symptoms of decreased cardiac output
tachypnea
SOB
orthopnea
DOE
hypoxemia
crackles
wheeze
dry or productive cough
edema
JVD
S3
murmurs
hypotension
decreased MAP
delayed cap refill
tachycardia
decreased urinary output
oliguria
abd distention
ascites
dizziness
syncope
fatigue
anxiety
restlessness
purpose fo electrocardiogram (ECG)
Provides a picture of cardiac electrical activity, including contraction and relaxation of the heart chambers
purpose of a lead on ECG
provides one view of heart; multiple can be used
Best lead to identify/interpret a rhythm for atria:
for ventricular:
Lead II for atria
Lead V1 for ventricles (mimics natural direction of a healthy heart)
Electrical impulses move b/w positive and negative pole
Moves toward from positive= waveforms upright on ECG
Moves away from positive = waveforms have negative deflection
positioning of electrodes
Crucial to obtaining an accurate ECG
Position the client supine with HOB 30-40⁰
Debride the skin with soap and water as necessary
Clip (DO NOT SHAVE) the hair if necessary
Avoid diaphoretic area
Connect electrodes to lead wires before placing them on the chest
Locate the landmarks for placement in the light
Change electrodes every 24-48 hours
Use hypoallergic electrodes if necessary
Who is responsible for obtaining an ECG?
Who is responsible for interpreting an ECG?
continuous ECG monitoring
Indications for use
– Risks of unnecessary monitoring
Electrodes placed on the trunk of the body in five locations
Ensure proper placement of leads
Always assess the patient first!!
Signals transmitted to bedside monitor or from a transmitter box to a central monitoring station (telemetry)
When should the monitoring be suspended? Who determines this?
ambulatory electrocardiography
Continuous form of monitoring used in the outpatient setting
Wears a portable recording device that is connected to the chest by electrodes
Monitoring period can be 24-48 hours (Holter) or weeks
Client records any symptoms
interpreting ECG strip paper
Rhythms are printed on special graph paper
Measures amplitude and time
–Time/rate is on horizontal axis (in sec); amplitude/voltage (in mm) is on the vertical axis
Each small box is 1 mm and 0.04 sec;
Each large box is 0.20 sec
–Small box X 5 = large box
–Five large blocks = 1 sec
–Thirty large blocks = 6 sec
interpretation of a P wave
SA Node sending out electrical impulse
**Atrial depolarization/contraction (generation of an impulse from SA node)
Should be upright and rounded
Should not be longer than 0.10 sec and no higher than 2.5 mm
interpretation of the PR interval
- Measure of time it takes for sinus node stimulation,
atrial depolarization, and conduction through AV node - Measured from beginning of P wave to the beginning
of QRS - Electrical activity from atria to ventricles
- Should be 0.12 – 0.20 seconds
interpretation of QRS complex
Ventricle contraction
* Time required for depolarization of both ventricles
* Hides atrial repolarization
* Pointy, skinny
* A wide QRS indicates ventricular as pacemaker or block in ventricles delaying impulse going to ventricles
* Normally <0.10 seconds
interpretation of T wave
Ventricles relax
* Represents ventricular repolarization; electrical recovery
* Positive, rounded, and upright; follows QRS
* Can become inverted, peaked, or flat from myocardial ischemia, potassium imbalances, meds, or ANS effects
interpretation of ST segment
- Represents early ventricular repolarization (resting state)
- Length can vary
- ST-Depression = ischemia
- ST Elevation = injury
- Q wave = necrosis/infarction
interpretation of U wave
- Represents repolarization of Purkinje fibers
- May or may not be present
- Seen in hypokalemia, HTN, or heart disease
- Follows T wave
QT interval
- Time it takes ventricles to depolarize, contract and then repolarize
**Start of Q to the end of T wave - Medications can prolong
- < 0.50 sec.
steps for interpreting arrhythmias
- determining the HR
- determine the rhythm regularity
- determine if the rhythm originated in the SA node
- evaluate conduction
- evaluate the appearance of the rhythm
- interpret the rhythm
- if a change is noted from pts baseline, evaluate the patient, consider obtaining a 12-lead ECG, and report the change to the provider as appropriate
3 ways to determine the HR (step 1)
First
* Use a 6 second strip to determine rate
** Count number of QRS complexes and multiply by 10
** More commonly used to assess irregular rhythms
Second
* Count number of small boxes between 2 R waves
** Divide into 1500
** More commonly used for accuracy
Third
* Count number of large boxes between 2 R waves
** Divide into 300
how to determine regularity of rhythm (step 2)
- Count boxes between waveforms being measured
- From P wave to P wave (atrial)
- From QRS complex to QRS complex (ventricular)
- Regular rhythm has equal space b/w waveforms
- Can be regularly irregular or irregularly irregular
how to analyze the P waves (step 3)
Check the P-wave shape is consistent and existent
Determine if there is one P wave for each QRS
Ask:
–Are P waves present?
–Are the P waves occurring regularly?
–Is there one P wave for each QRS complex?
–Are the P waves smooth, rounded, and upright in appearance?
–Do all the P waves look similar?
how to measure the PR interval (step 4)
- measure from beginning of P wave to end of PR segment
- should be 0.12-0.20 sec
- should be consistent
- if there are no P waves, this cannot be calculated
how to measure the QRS duration (step 5)
Measure at the beginning to the end of QRS complex
Normally measures 0.04 – 0.10 sec
–If QRS is narrow, indicates impulse was not formed in ventricles
–If QRS is wide, indicates impulse is ventricular (abnormal)
Should be consistent
how to examine the ST segment and T wave
ST segment:
–Monitor for depression and elevation
–ST elevation: MI, pericarditis, hyperkalemia
–ST Depression: Hypokalemia, MI, ventricular hypertrophy
T wave:
–Note shape and height
–Abnormal T waves (peaking or inversion) indicate MI or ventricular hypertrophy
Originates from the SA Node
–Rate: 60-100
–Rhythm: Regular
–P Wave: Present, consistent, one P wave for each QRS
–PR interval: 0.12-0.20 sec and constant
–QRS duration: <0.10 sec and constant
normal sinus rhythm
Results from changing with breathing (increases with inspiration; decreases with expiration)
Same characteristics as NSR, but it is irregular
Not clinically significant
Sinus Arrythmia
what is a dysrhythmia
Disruptions in the cardiac conduction pathway
Can cause decreased cardiac output
clinical manifestations that MAY be present with dysrhythmias
Palpitations,
hypotension,
anxiety,
diaphoresis,
SOB,
syncope,
lightheadedness,
weakness/fatigue,
dizziness
possible causes of dysrhythmias
Cardiac disease: HTN, HF, Cardiomyopathy, MI
Electrolyte Imbalances
Hypoxia
Infections
Drug toxicity
Hypovolemia
Stress
Fear
Anxiety
Recreational drug use: Substance abuse, tobacco, alcohol
components of sinus bradycardia
Regular rhythm same as NSR but HR
<60
Can be caused by a variety of things
s/s of sinus bradycardia
syncope,
dizziness,
weakness,
confusion,
hypotension,
diaphoresis,
SOB,
chest pain
interventions for sinus bradycardia
- Treat underlying cause when symptomatic
- Nursing: notify the MD; assess LOC, pulse, BP, ECG; educate about s/s
- Atropine IV (if cause unknown), epi, IV Fluids, O2, discontinuance of causative agent
- Pacing
Rate: Less than 60
* Rhythm: regular
* P wave: present and consistent in size and shape
* PR interval: WNL
* QRS: normal
Sinus Bradycardia
what is sinus tachycardia
Similar characteristics of NSR, but rate is >100
Over a long period of time, can cause inadequate perfusion
Different causes
Assess for reduced cardiac output; can be asymptomatic
symptomatic treatment of sinus tachycardia
treat underlying cause,
beta blockers,
vagal maneuvers (carotid massage ONLY MD),
IVF,
pain management,
anxiety reduction techniques,
treat infection,
control thyroid,
administer blood,
change medication regiment
Adenosine 6 mg (first dose) followed by 20 ml sale flush
repeat in 1-2 min with 12 mg (second dose)
o2, CCB, or BB, possible cardioversion
client teaching for sinus tachycardia
Avoid substances causing increase in heart rate,
stress management
Rate: Greater than 100
Rhythm: regular
P wave: present and consistent in size and shape
PR interval: WNL
QRS: normal
Sinus tachycardia
what is premature atrial contractions (PAC)
Electrical impulse starts in the atrium earlier than expected
Can be hidden in the T wave and is usually followed by a pause to reset and resume regular rhythm