RHYTHM BASICS
This rhythm is characterized by chaotic electrical activity and no effective cardiac output.
Ventricular Fibrillation
Three or more PVCs in a row are often classified as this rhythm.
VTach
This ECG characteristic helps identify ventricular tachycardia.
Wide QRS Complex
What is the immediate treatment for VFib?
Defibrillate and CPR
Magnesium sulfate is the treatment of choice for this life-threatening rhythm.
Torsades de Pointe
This rhythm appears as a flat line on ECG and requires confirmation in two leads.
asystole
What sensation do patients typically report when experiencing PVCs?
sensation of a "skipped beat"
What is the treatment for pulseless VTach
Defibrillation and CPR
Why is VFib the most lethal cardiac rhythm?
There is no cardiac output
This therapy delivers synchronized energy and is used for unstable tachycardias with a pulse.
Cardioversion
This rhythm has wide QRS complexes, is regular, and is a fast rhythm.
Ventricular Tachycardia
What are the tree goruping types for PVCs?
Bigeminal, Trigeminal, Quadrigeminal
What rhythm is a form of VTach and is often caused from electrolyte imbalances or QT prolonging drugs
Torsades de Pointes
What is the immediate treatment for asystole?
CPR and ACLS drugs
This therapy delivers asynchronous electrical energy to stop lethal rhythms.
Defibrillation
What two electrolyte imbalances can cause Torsades de Pointe
hypomagnesmia and hypokalemia
PVCs are clinically significant because they can decrease cardiac output and precipitate these rhythms.
VTach and VFib
What IV medication(s) may be tried for stable VTach?
If these meds are unsuccessful, what is the next recommended treatment?
Amiodarone, Stotalol, Procainamide
Cardioversion
Why can you not shock asystole?
There is no electrical activity
This device provides electrical stimulation when the heart fails to beat or to override fast rhythms.
Pacemaker
This rhythm shows organized electrical activity on the monitor but produces no pulse.
PEA
What is the difference between unifocal and multifocal PVCs
Unifocal: they look uniform and they originate from the same area of the ventricles
Multifocal: they look different and they originate in different areas of the ventricles
Name 3 nursing actions you will do for a patient who has stable VTach
1. administer oxygen
2. ensure IV access
3. ensure/initiate telemetry monitoring
4. maintain airway
5. prepare for medication administration or potential cardioversion
How many telemetry leads do you need to confirm with asystole
2 leads
Why would a patient with cardiomyopathy be at a higher risk for atrial and/or ventricular dysrhythmias?
Due to the structural changes and electrical conduction changes in the heart.