Relias Dysrhythmia Basic Test 35 Questions
and Answers 2026/2027 (Basic A
Dysrhythmia) 100 MOST TESTED QUIZ WITH
VERIFIED ANS | A + GRADED FOR BEST
RANKS AND TEST DONE PREVIOUSLY |
What are the ECG characteristics of premature atrial contractions (PACs)?
Answer:
Premature atrial contractions (PACs) are early heartbeats that originate from an ectopic
focus in the atria rather than the sinoatrial (SA) node. ECG findings include an early
abnormal P wave, usually followed by a normal narrow QRS complex. The rhythm is irregular
because of the premature beat, and the PR interval may be shortened or different from the
surrounding beats.
Expert Rationale:
PACs occur when an area of atrial tissue becomes irritable and fires an electrical impulse
before the SA node normally discharges. This premature impulse causes an early atrial
contraction.
ECG characteristics include:
• Irregular rhythm due to the early beat.
• Premature P wave that may look different from normal sinus P waves.
• QRS complex usually remains narrow because ventricular conduction still occurs
through the normal AV node and His-Purkinje system.
• A brief pause may follow the PAC as the SA node resets.
Common causes of PACs include:
• Caffeine intake
• Stress and anxiety
• Alcohol use
• Electrolyte abnormalities
, • Hypoxia
• Heart disease
• Stimulant medications
Occasional PACs are common and often harmless. However, frequent PACs may indicate
increased atrial irritability and can precede more serious atrial dysrhythmias such as atrial
fibrillation.
Nursing assessment should focus on:
• Frequency of PACs
• Symptoms such as palpitations or dizziness
• Electrolyte abnormalities
• Underlying cardiac conditions
NCLEX Pearl:
PAC = early abnormal P wave + normal QRS. The problem starts in the atria, not the
ventricles.
What are the ECG characteristics of atrial fibrillation (AFib)?
Answer:
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular atrial rhythm caused by chaotic electrical activity in the atria.
ECG findings include absent distinct P waves, an irregularly irregular ventricular rhythm, and
usually a narrow QRS complex.
Expert Rationale:
Atrial fibrillation occurs when multiple areas of the atria fire rapidly and unpredictably,
causing ineffective atrial contraction.
Instead of one organized electrical impulse from the SA node, hundreds of chaotic impulses
circulate through the atria. Because the atria are not contracting effectively, blood may
stagnate, especially in the left atrial appendage.
This increases the risk of:
• Formation of atrial thrombi
• Embolic stroke
• Reduced cardiac output
ECG findings include:
, No identifiable P waves
• The atria are quivering rather than contracting normally.
Irregularly irregular rhythm
• The distance between QRS complexes varies unpredictably.
Variable ventricular rate
• The AV node receives random impulses.
Narrow QRS
• Ventricular conduction usually remains normal.
Clinical manifestations may include:
• Palpitations
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort
• Dizziness
• Exercise intolerance
Management depends on the patient's stability and may include:
• Rate control medications:
o Beta blockers
o Calcium channel blockers
o Digoxin
• Rhythm control:
o Antiarrhythmic medications
o Electrical cardioversion
• Stroke prevention:
o Anticoagulation therapy
Nurses should monitor:
• Heart rate
• Blood pressure
and Answers 2026/2027 (Basic A
Dysrhythmia) 100 MOST TESTED QUIZ WITH
VERIFIED ANS | A + GRADED FOR BEST
RANKS AND TEST DONE PREVIOUSLY |
What are the ECG characteristics of premature atrial contractions (PACs)?
Answer:
Premature atrial contractions (PACs) are early heartbeats that originate from an ectopic
focus in the atria rather than the sinoatrial (SA) node. ECG findings include an early
abnormal P wave, usually followed by a normal narrow QRS complex. The rhythm is irregular
because of the premature beat, and the PR interval may be shortened or different from the
surrounding beats.
Expert Rationale:
PACs occur when an area of atrial tissue becomes irritable and fires an electrical impulse
before the SA node normally discharges. This premature impulse causes an early atrial
contraction.
ECG characteristics include:
• Irregular rhythm due to the early beat.
• Premature P wave that may look different from normal sinus P waves.
• QRS complex usually remains narrow because ventricular conduction still occurs
through the normal AV node and His-Purkinje system.
• A brief pause may follow the PAC as the SA node resets.
Common causes of PACs include:
• Caffeine intake
• Stress and anxiety
• Alcohol use
• Electrolyte abnormalities
, • Hypoxia
• Heart disease
• Stimulant medications
Occasional PACs are common and often harmless. However, frequent PACs may indicate
increased atrial irritability and can precede more serious atrial dysrhythmias such as atrial
fibrillation.
Nursing assessment should focus on:
• Frequency of PACs
• Symptoms such as palpitations or dizziness
• Electrolyte abnormalities
• Underlying cardiac conditions
NCLEX Pearl:
PAC = early abnormal P wave + normal QRS. The problem starts in the atria, not the
ventricles.
What are the ECG characteristics of atrial fibrillation (AFib)?
Answer:
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular atrial rhythm caused by chaotic electrical activity in the atria.
ECG findings include absent distinct P waves, an irregularly irregular ventricular rhythm, and
usually a narrow QRS complex.
Expert Rationale:
Atrial fibrillation occurs when multiple areas of the atria fire rapidly and unpredictably,
causing ineffective atrial contraction.
Instead of one organized electrical impulse from the SA node, hundreds of chaotic impulses
circulate through the atria. Because the atria are not contracting effectively, blood may
stagnate, especially in the left atrial appendage.
This increases the risk of:
• Formation of atrial thrombi
• Embolic stroke
• Reduced cardiac output
ECG findings include:
, No identifiable P waves
• The atria are quivering rather than contracting normally.
Irregularly irregular rhythm
• The distance between QRS complexes varies unpredictably.
Variable ventricular rate
• The AV node receives random impulses.
Narrow QRS
• Ventricular conduction usually remains normal.
Clinical manifestations may include:
• Palpitations
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort
• Dizziness
• Exercise intolerance
Management depends on the patient's stability and may include:
• Rate control medications:
o Beta blockers
o Calcium channel blockers
o Digoxin
• Rhythm control:
o Antiarrhythmic medications
o Electrical cardioversion
• Stroke prevention:
o Anticoagulation therapy
Nurses should monitor:
• Heart rate
• Blood pressure
