ECG interpret
A nurse notes a rhythm with one P wave before each QRS, regular rhythm, HR 75 bpm.
What is normal sinus rhythm
A rhythm originating from the SA node with a rate below 60 bpm.
What is sinus bradycardia
First-line medication for symptomatic sinus bradycardia.
What is Atropine
A patient with bradycardia is symptomatic. The nurse’s first action.
What is assess airway, breathing, circulation (ABCs)?
Loss of atrial contraction in atrial fibrillation decreases this.
What is cardiac output
An ECG shows a PR interval of 0.26 seconds. This indicates which conduction abnormality?
What is first-degree AV block
Rapid atrial rhythm 100–280 bpm with P waves buried in the T wave.
What is supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)?
The first medication administered for stable SVT that briefly stops AV node conduction.
What is Adenosine
A patient has unstable SVT with hypotension. The priority intervention.
What is synchronized cardioversion?
Atrial fibrillation increases the risk for this life-threatening complication.
What is stroke?
The nurse identifies a rhythm with no identifiable P waves and an irregularly irregular rhythm.
What is atrial fibrillation?
The nurse identifies saw-tooth waves on ECG.
What is atrial flutter
This antiarrhythmic medication is commonly used to treat stable ventricular tachycardia with a pulse
What is Amiodarone?
The nurse identifies ventricular tachycardia with no pulse
What is start CPR and defibrillate
Untreated ventricular tachycardia may deteriorate into this rhythm.
What is ventricular fibrillation?
The ECG shows wide QRS complexes >0.12 seconds with a ventricular rate of 160 bpm.
What is ventricular tachycardia?
An irritable ventricular focus produces early beats with wide QRS complexes
What are premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)?
This medication is used to treat torsades de pointes caused by hypomagnesemia
What is Magnesium sulfate
A patient receiving adenosine should be monitored for this brief expected effect.
What is temporary asystole or pause?
Severe bradycardia may cause this symptom due to decreased cerebral perfusion
What is syncope
A rhythm strip shows polymorphic QRS complexes twisting around the baseline.
What is Torsades de Pointes
A patient has no organized rhythm and no cardiac output.
What is ventricular fibrillation
These medications are commonly used for rate control in atrial fibrillation.
What are beta blockers or calcium channel blockers?
A patient develops frequent PVCs. The nurse should assess for this electrolyte imbalance first.
What is hypokalemia
Loss of effective ventricular contraction leads to this condition
What is cardiac arrest