EKG rhythms ,,
EKG rhythms
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1. Normal Sinus Rhythm analysis
Rhythm • Rate: Atrial and ventricular rates are the same and range from 60 to 100 beats
per minute.
• Regularity: Rhythm is regular or essentially regular.
• Interval measurements: PR interval is 0.12 to 0.20 seconds. QRS interval is 0.06
to 0.10 seconds.
• Shape and sequence: P and QRS waves are consistent in shape. P waves are
small and rounded. A P wave precedes every QRS complex, which is followed by a
T wave.
• Hemodynamic effect: Patient is hemodynamically stable.
2. Sinus Tachycar- Rhythm analysis
dia • Rate: Both atrial and ventricular rates are greater than 100 beats per minute, up
to 160 beats per minute, but may be as high as 180 beats per minute.13
• Regularity: Onset is gradual rather than abrupt. Sinus tachycardia is regular or
essentially regular.
• Interval measurements: PR interval is 0.12 to 0.20 seconds (at higher rates, the
P wave may not be readily visible). QRS interval is 0.06 to 0.10 seconds. QT may
shorten.
• Shape and sequence: P and QRS waves are consistent in shape. P waves are small
and rounded. A P wave precedes every QRS complex, which is then followed by a
T wave.
• Patient response: The fast heart rhythm may cause a decrease in cardiac output
because of the shorter filling time for the ventricles. Vulnerable populations are
those with ischemic heart disease who are adversely affected by the shorter time
for coronary filling during diastole.
• Causes: Hyperthyroidism, hypovolemia, heart failure, anemia, exercise, use of
stimulants, fever, and sympathetic response to fear or pain and anxiety may cause
sinus tachycardia.
• Care and treatment: The dysrhythmia itself is not treated, but the cause is iden-
, EKG rhythms ,,
EKG rhythms
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tified and treated appropriately. For example, pain medications are administered
to treat pain or antipyretics are given to treat fever.
3. Sinus Bradycar- Rhythm analysis
dia
• Rate: Both atrial and ventricular rates are less than 60 beats per minute.
• Regularity: Rhythm is regular or essentially regular.
• Interval measurements: Measurements are normal, but QT may be prolonged.
• Shape and sequence: P and QRS waves are consistent in shape. P waves are
small and rounded. A P wave precedes every QRS complex, which is followed by a
T wave.
• Patient response: The slowed heart rhythm may cause a decrease in cardiac
output, resulting in hypotension and decreased organ perfusion.
• Causes: Vasovagal response; medications such as digoxin or AV nodal block-
ing agents, including calcium channel blockers and beta blockers; myocardial
infarction; normal physiological variant in the athlete; disease of the sinus node;
increased intracranial pressure; hypoxemia; and hypothermia may cause sinus
bradycardia.
• Care and treatment: Assess for hemodynamic instability related to the bradycar-
dia. If the patient is symptomatic, interventions include administration of atropine.
If atropine is not effective in increasing heart rate, then transcutaneous pacing,
dopamine infusion, or epinephrine infusion may be administered.3 Atropine is
avoided for treatment of bradycardia associated with hypothermia.
4. Sinus Arrhythmia associated with respiration. The heart rate slightly increases during inspiration and
slightly slows during exhalation because of changes in vagal tone (Cranial Nerve X
Vagus Nerve).*
Rhythm analysis
• Rate: Atrial and ventricular rates are between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
• Regularity: This rhythm is cyclically irregular, slowing with exhalation and increas-
EKG rhythms
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1. Normal Sinus Rhythm analysis
Rhythm • Rate: Atrial and ventricular rates are the same and range from 60 to 100 beats
per minute.
• Regularity: Rhythm is regular or essentially regular.
• Interval measurements: PR interval is 0.12 to 0.20 seconds. QRS interval is 0.06
to 0.10 seconds.
• Shape and sequence: P and QRS waves are consistent in shape. P waves are
small and rounded. A P wave precedes every QRS complex, which is followed by a
T wave.
• Hemodynamic effect: Patient is hemodynamically stable.
2. Sinus Tachycar- Rhythm analysis
dia • Rate: Both atrial and ventricular rates are greater than 100 beats per minute, up
to 160 beats per minute, but may be as high as 180 beats per minute.13
• Regularity: Onset is gradual rather than abrupt. Sinus tachycardia is regular or
essentially regular.
• Interval measurements: PR interval is 0.12 to 0.20 seconds (at higher rates, the
P wave may not be readily visible). QRS interval is 0.06 to 0.10 seconds. QT may
shorten.
• Shape and sequence: P and QRS waves are consistent in shape. P waves are small
and rounded. A P wave precedes every QRS complex, which is then followed by a
T wave.
• Patient response: The fast heart rhythm may cause a decrease in cardiac output
because of the shorter filling time for the ventricles. Vulnerable populations are
those with ischemic heart disease who are adversely affected by the shorter time
for coronary filling during diastole.
• Causes: Hyperthyroidism, hypovolemia, heart failure, anemia, exercise, use of
stimulants, fever, and sympathetic response to fear or pain and anxiety may cause
sinus tachycardia.
• Care and treatment: The dysrhythmia itself is not treated, but the cause is iden-
, EKG rhythms ,,
EKG rhythms
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_1pga8m
tified and treated appropriately. For example, pain medications are administered
to treat pain or antipyretics are given to treat fever.
3. Sinus Bradycar- Rhythm analysis
dia
• Rate: Both atrial and ventricular rates are less than 60 beats per minute.
• Regularity: Rhythm is regular or essentially regular.
• Interval measurements: Measurements are normal, but QT may be prolonged.
• Shape and sequence: P and QRS waves are consistent in shape. P waves are
small and rounded. A P wave precedes every QRS complex, which is followed by a
T wave.
• Patient response: The slowed heart rhythm may cause a decrease in cardiac
output, resulting in hypotension and decreased organ perfusion.
• Causes: Vasovagal response; medications such as digoxin or AV nodal block-
ing agents, including calcium channel blockers and beta blockers; myocardial
infarction; normal physiological variant in the athlete; disease of the sinus node;
increased intracranial pressure; hypoxemia; and hypothermia may cause sinus
bradycardia.
• Care and treatment: Assess for hemodynamic instability related to the bradycar-
dia. If the patient is symptomatic, interventions include administration of atropine.
If atropine is not effective in increasing heart rate, then transcutaneous pacing,
dopamine infusion, or epinephrine infusion may be administered.3 Atropine is
avoided for treatment of bradycardia associated with hypothermia.
4. Sinus Arrhythmia associated with respiration. The heart rate slightly increases during inspiration and
slightly slows during exhalation because of changes in vagal tone (Cranial Nerve X
Vagus Nerve).*
Rhythm analysis
• Rate: Atrial and ventricular rates are between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
• Regularity: This rhythm is cyclically irregular, slowing with exhalation and increas-
