ECG & Rhythm Basics
This is the normal heart rate range in Normal Sinus Rhythm.
🟢 What is 60–100 bpm?
Is Ventricular Fibrillation shockable?
🟢 What is yes?
First-line medication for symptomatic bradycardia.
🟢 What is atropine?
Rhythm with no treatment needed; only monitoring is required.
🟢 What is Normal Sinus Rhythm?
treatment for chronic A-Fib to prevent stroke.
🟢 What are anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin, apixaban)?
This wave is absent in Atrial Fibrillation.
🟢 What is the P wave?
Is Sinus Bradycardia shockable?
🟢 What is no?
Given during CPR for V-Fib or pulseless V-Tach every 3–5 minutes.
🟢 What is epinephrine?
With PVCs >6/min, this should be done first.
🟢 What is notify the provider and check electrolytes?
This electrolyte imbalance is a common cause of PVCs.
🟢 What is hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia?
This arrhythmia shows a flat line on ECG with no electrical activity.
🟢 What is asystole?
Is Atrial Fibrillation shockable if the patient is unstable?
🟢 What is yes (synchronized cardioversion)?
Used after defibrillation fails for V-Fib and pulseless V-Tach.
🟢 What is amiodarone?
If a patient is in asystole, the nurse must first do this before declaring it real.
🟢 What is verify lead placement?
Treatment for V-Tach with a pulse if the patient is unstable.
🟢 What is synchronized cardioversion?
This arrhythmia presents with chaotic waves and no identifiable rhythm.
🟢 What is Ventricular Fibrillation (V-Fib)?
Is Third-Degree Heart Block shockable?
🟢 What is no?
Medication avoided in Mobitz II heart block.
🟢 What are AV nodal blockers (e.g., beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers)?
Key patient education for those with pacemakers includes avoiding this item.
🟢 What is magnets or MRI machines?
Long-term device placed after survival from V-Fib or pulseless V-Tach.
🟢 What is an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator)?
This type of AV block shows progressively longer PR intervals until a QRS is dropped.
🟢 What is Second-Degree AV Block Type I (Wenckebach)?
This ventricular rhythm is shockable only if the patient has no pulse.
🟢 What is Ventricular Tachycardia (V-Tach)?
Medication used if atropine fails in symptomatic bradycardia.
🟢 What is dopamine or epinephrine drip?
This is the most important nursing action for pulseless V-Tach.
🟢 What is call a code and start CPR with defibrillation?
Best treatment for Mobitz II or 3rd-degree AV block.
🟢 What is emergency pacing and permanent pacemaker?