Test 3 - Afib & EKG || A+ Graded.
What's Afib? correct answers A glitch in the heart's electrical system makes the upper chambers
(the atria) quiver or fibrillate
Atrial fibrillation can be dangerous because it raises the risk of stroke and heart failure
Normal Heart Rhythm
vs. Fibrillation correct answers Normally, electrical signals from the sinus (SA) node start each
heartbeat
In AFib abnormal signals fire from many areas within the atria
These chaotic signals make the top chambers quiver rapidly
Afib criteria correct answers Wavy baseline with no discernable P waves
Irregularly
Ventricular rate is dependent on conduction through the AV node
RVR (rapid ventricular response)
QRS usually within normal limits
S&S of Afib correct answers In many people, atrial fibrillation does not cause obvious warning
signs
When symptoms do occur, they often include:
An uneven pulse
A racing or pounding heart
A feeling that the heart is fluttering
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Causes? correct answers HTN
Mitral valve disorders
Rheumatic heart disease
MI, CAD
COPD
Post cardiac surgery
Complications correct answers Embolic Stroke - r/t blood pooling to form clots
Pulmonary Infarction (PE) -
A blood clot that travels to the lung tissue
Heart Failure
When the heart is unable to pump an adequate amount of blood to the body
The body compensates by retaining fluid
Treatment correct answers Reversing the cause
, Digoxin, anticoagulants, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers
Cardioversion may also be used if drug treatment is not successful
Patients with chronic atrial fibrillation will require anticoagulation to prevent emboli from
forming
Anticoagulation correct answers Aspirin - Anti-platelet agent - platelets are elements in the blood
that are necessary to for blood clots to form.
Warfarin (Coumadin) - anticoagulant- prevents the formation of clots.
Serious risk bleeding
Monitor INR
Lots of interaction
Important to do patient teaching
Other Treatments correct answers * Dabigatran (Pradaxa) - Anticoagulant
New drug used in patients with non-valvular AFib
Risk of bleeding
No lab draws
No food interactions
* AV node ablation
This procedure involves applying radiofrequency energy to destroy this small area of tissue
* Surgical maze procedure
Is done during an open-heart surgery
Doctors create several precise incisions in the heart to create a pattern of scar tissue
Patient Teaching correct answers Make lifestyle changes that improve the overall health of their
heart
Reduce or eliminate caffeinated and alcoholic beverages
Be careful when taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications or herbal supplements
Bleeding precautions if on anticoagulants
Atrial Fibrillation EKG Strip correct answers Regularity? Uneven distance between R
Waves=Irregular
Rhythm=No P-waves. Therefore Not Sinus Rhythm!!+
Irregular QRS complexes
Irregular P-waves
Basic EKG Interpretation correct answers EKG paper is a grid where time is measured along the
horizontal axis.
What's Afib? correct answers A glitch in the heart's electrical system makes the upper chambers
(the atria) quiver or fibrillate
Atrial fibrillation can be dangerous because it raises the risk of stroke and heart failure
Normal Heart Rhythm
vs. Fibrillation correct answers Normally, electrical signals from the sinus (SA) node start each
heartbeat
In AFib abnormal signals fire from many areas within the atria
These chaotic signals make the top chambers quiver rapidly
Afib criteria correct answers Wavy baseline with no discernable P waves
Irregularly
Ventricular rate is dependent on conduction through the AV node
RVR (rapid ventricular response)
QRS usually within normal limits
S&S of Afib correct answers In many people, atrial fibrillation does not cause obvious warning
signs
When symptoms do occur, they often include:
An uneven pulse
A racing or pounding heart
A feeling that the heart is fluttering
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Causes? correct answers HTN
Mitral valve disorders
Rheumatic heart disease
MI, CAD
COPD
Post cardiac surgery
Complications correct answers Embolic Stroke - r/t blood pooling to form clots
Pulmonary Infarction (PE) -
A blood clot that travels to the lung tissue
Heart Failure
When the heart is unable to pump an adequate amount of blood to the body
The body compensates by retaining fluid
Treatment correct answers Reversing the cause
, Digoxin, anticoagulants, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers
Cardioversion may also be used if drug treatment is not successful
Patients with chronic atrial fibrillation will require anticoagulation to prevent emboli from
forming
Anticoagulation correct answers Aspirin - Anti-platelet agent - platelets are elements in the blood
that are necessary to for blood clots to form.
Warfarin (Coumadin) - anticoagulant- prevents the formation of clots.
Serious risk bleeding
Monitor INR
Lots of interaction
Important to do patient teaching
Other Treatments correct answers * Dabigatran (Pradaxa) - Anticoagulant
New drug used in patients with non-valvular AFib
Risk of bleeding
No lab draws
No food interactions
* AV node ablation
This procedure involves applying radiofrequency energy to destroy this small area of tissue
* Surgical maze procedure
Is done during an open-heart surgery
Doctors create several precise incisions in the heart to create a pattern of scar tissue
Patient Teaching correct answers Make lifestyle changes that improve the overall health of their
heart
Reduce or eliminate caffeinated and alcoholic beverages
Be careful when taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications or herbal supplements
Bleeding precautions if on anticoagulants
Atrial Fibrillation EKG Strip correct answers Regularity? Uneven distance between R
Waves=Irregular
Rhythm=No P-waves. Therefore Not Sinus Rhythm!!+
Irregular QRS complexes
Irregular P-waves
Basic EKG Interpretation correct answers EKG paper is a grid where time is measured along the
horizontal axis.
