🫀 Rate & Rhythm Basics
Irregularly irregular rhythm with no visible P waves
What is Atrial Fibrillation?
Sawtooth flutter waves are characteristic of this rhythm.
What is Atrial Flutter?
Wide QRS rhythm, rate >100, may have a pulse.
What is Ventricular Tachycardia?
A patient’s monitor shows a rapid wide-complex rhythm at 160 bpm. The patient is awake and has a pulse with stable blood pressure.
What is Ventricular Tachycardia with a pulse, and administer antiarrhythmic (e.g., amiodarone)?
First thing to assess when you see VT on the monitor.
What is check for a pulse?
To calculate heart rate using the 6-second strip method, you multiply by this number
What is 10?
Sudden onset narrow-complex tachycardia, often >150 bpm.
What is SVT?
Chaotic rhythm with no identifiable QRS complexes.
What is Ventricular Fibrillation?
A patient suddenly becomes unresponsive. The monitor shows a chaotic, irregular waveform. No pulse is present.
What is Ventricular Fibrillation and start CPR + defibrillate?
First medication for symptomatic bradycardia.
What is Atropine?
Normal PR interval range
What is 0.12–0.20 seconds?
First-line vagal maneuver used for stable SVT.
What is the Valsalva maneuver?
Priority action for pulseless VT or VF.
What is defibrillation?
A patient is bradycardic at 30 bpm, diaphoretic, hypotensive, and dizzy. The monitor shows complete AV dissociation.
What is Third-Degree (Complete) Heart Block and prepare for transcutaneous pacing?
A potassium level of 6.8 may cause this EKG change.
What are peaked T waves?
A QRS wider than this is considered prolonged.
What is 0.12 seconds?
Medication commonly given for stable SVT.
What is Adenosine?
This ventricular rhythm has no pulse and no electrical activity.
What is Asystole?
A patient in the ICU develops sudden narrow-complex tachycardia at 180 bpm. Blood pressure drops to 78/40 and they report chest pain.
What is unstable SVT and perform synchronized cardioversion?
Chest pain with ST elevation requires this immediate action.
What is activate the cath lab (STEMI protocol)?
This rhythm has a rate 60–100, normal P waves, and regular rhythm.
What is Normal Sinus Rhythm?
Irregular rhythm with rapid ventricular response and hypotension — priority treatment.
What is synchronized cardioversion?
Drug given after defibrillation in persistent VF/VT.
What is Epinephrine or Amiodarone?
A patient collapses. The monitor shows a flat line. You check leads and confirm rhythm in two leads. No pulse.
What is Asystole and initiate CPR + administer epinephrine (no shock)?
Unstable patient with tachycardia and hypotension requires this electrical therapy.
What is synchronized cardioversion?