Advanced - Dysrhythmias 2025 exam verrified
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Terms in this set (63)
the ability of non-pacemaker heart cells to respond to
Excitability
an electrical impulse that begins in pacemaker cells.
occurs when the normally negatively charged cells
Depolarization
within the heart muscle develop a positive charge.
the ability to send an electrical stimulus from cell
membrane to cell membrane. As a result, excitable
cells depolarize in rapid succession from cell to cell
Conductivity until all cells have depolarized. Ex: the wave of
depolarization causes the deflections in the ECG
waveforms that are recognized as the P wave and
QRS complex.
the ability of atrial and ventricular muscle cells to
shorten their fiber length in response to electrical
Contractility stimulation, causing sufficient pressure to push blood
forward through the heart. In other words, this is the
mechanical activity of the heart.
where impulses slow down or are delayed before
proceeding to the ventricles. This delay is reflected in
AV Node the PR segment on the ECG. This slow conduction
provides a short delay, allowing the atria to contract
and the ventricles to fill.
, the heart's primary pacemaker. It can spontaneously
and rhythmically generate electrical impulses at a rate
SA Node
of 60-100 beats per min and therefore has the
greatest degree of automaticity.
composed of the bundle of HIS, bundle branches,
and these fibers. Responsible for the rapid
Purkinje Cells conduction of electrical impulses throughout the
ventricles, leading to ventricular depolarization and
the subsequent ventricular muscle contraction.
While obtaining a 12-lead ECG, remind the patient be
Semi-Reclined as as still as possible in a ________________________ position,
breathing normally.
For continous ECG monitoring, be sure to
__________________ skin and clip hairs/shave. Ensure that the
Clea, Dry, Moist
electrode placement is _____________ and the gel on each
electrode is ______________ and fresh.
a deflection on an ECG representing atrial
depolarization. When the electrical impulse is
consistently generated form the SA node, this wave
P Wave has a consistent shape in a given lead. If an impulse is
then generated from a different (ectopic) focus, such
as atrial tissue, the shape of this wave changes in the
lead, indicating that an ectopic focus has fired.
the isoelectric line from the end of the P wave to the
beginning of the QRS complex, when the electrical
PR Segment
impulse is traveling through the AV node, where it is
delayed.
measured form the beginning of the P wave to the
end of the PR segment. Represents the time required
for atrial depolarization, the impulse delay in the AV
PR Interval
node, and the travel time to the Purkinje files.
Normally measures from 0.12-0.20 seconds (five small
blocks).
QRS Complex represents ventricular depolarization on ECG lead.
, an isoelectric line and represents early ventricular
repolarization. Changes may be a result of myocardial
ST Segment
injury, ischemia, infarction, conduction abnormalities
or medications.
ventricular repolarization, usually positive, rounded,
and slightly asymmetric. May change as a result of
T wave
myocardial ischemia, potassium/calcium imbalances,
medications, or ANS effects.
if this is present, it follows the T wave a may result from
slow depolarization of ventricular Purkinje fibers. An
U wave
abnormal U wave may suggest an electrolyte
abnormality (Hypokalemia).
represent the total time required for ventricular
depolarization and depolarization. Measured from the
beginning of the Q wave to the end of the T wave.
QT Interval
Varies with the patient's age and gender and changes
with the heart rate, lengthening with slower heart
rates and shortening with faster rates.
an interference seen on the monitor or rhythm strip,
which may look like a wandering or fuzzy baseline. It
can be caused by patient movements, loose or
defective electrodes, improper grounding, or faulty
ECG equipment such as broken worse or cables.
Artifact
Some can mimic lethal dysrhythmias such as
ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.
ASSESS PATIENT TO DIFFERENTIATE ARTIFACT
FROM ACTUAL LETHAL RHYTHMS. DO NOT RELY
ONLY ON THE ECG MONITOR.
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Save
Terms in this set (63)
the ability of non-pacemaker heart cells to respond to
Excitability
an electrical impulse that begins in pacemaker cells.
occurs when the normally negatively charged cells
Depolarization
within the heart muscle develop a positive charge.
the ability to send an electrical stimulus from cell
membrane to cell membrane. As a result, excitable
cells depolarize in rapid succession from cell to cell
Conductivity until all cells have depolarized. Ex: the wave of
depolarization causes the deflections in the ECG
waveforms that are recognized as the P wave and
QRS complex.
the ability of atrial and ventricular muscle cells to
shorten their fiber length in response to electrical
Contractility stimulation, causing sufficient pressure to push blood
forward through the heart. In other words, this is the
mechanical activity of the heart.
where impulses slow down or are delayed before
proceeding to the ventricles. This delay is reflected in
AV Node the PR segment on the ECG. This slow conduction
provides a short delay, allowing the atria to contract
and the ventricles to fill.
, the heart's primary pacemaker. It can spontaneously
and rhythmically generate electrical impulses at a rate
SA Node
of 60-100 beats per min and therefore has the
greatest degree of automaticity.
composed of the bundle of HIS, bundle branches,
and these fibers. Responsible for the rapid
Purkinje Cells conduction of electrical impulses throughout the
ventricles, leading to ventricular depolarization and
the subsequent ventricular muscle contraction.
While obtaining a 12-lead ECG, remind the patient be
Semi-Reclined as as still as possible in a ________________________ position,
breathing normally.
For continous ECG monitoring, be sure to
__________________ skin and clip hairs/shave. Ensure that the
Clea, Dry, Moist
electrode placement is _____________ and the gel on each
electrode is ______________ and fresh.
a deflection on an ECG representing atrial
depolarization. When the electrical impulse is
consistently generated form the SA node, this wave
P Wave has a consistent shape in a given lead. If an impulse is
then generated from a different (ectopic) focus, such
as atrial tissue, the shape of this wave changes in the
lead, indicating that an ectopic focus has fired.
the isoelectric line from the end of the P wave to the
beginning of the QRS complex, when the electrical
PR Segment
impulse is traveling through the AV node, where it is
delayed.
measured form the beginning of the P wave to the
end of the PR segment. Represents the time required
for atrial depolarization, the impulse delay in the AV
PR Interval
node, and the travel time to the Purkinje files.
Normally measures from 0.12-0.20 seconds (five small
blocks).
QRS Complex represents ventricular depolarization on ECG lead.
, an isoelectric line and represents early ventricular
repolarization. Changes may be a result of myocardial
ST Segment
injury, ischemia, infarction, conduction abnormalities
or medications.
ventricular repolarization, usually positive, rounded,
and slightly asymmetric. May change as a result of
T wave
myocardial ischemia, potassium/calcium imbalances,
medications, or ANS effects.
if this is present, it follows the T wave a may result from
slow depolarization of ventricular Purkinje fibers. An
U wave
abnormal U wave may suggest an electrolyte
abnormality (Hypokalemia).
represent the total time required for ventricular
depolarization and depolarization. Measured from the
beginning of the Q wave to the end of the T wave.
QT Interval
Varies with the patient's age and gender and changes
with the heart rate, lengthening with slower heart
rates and shortening with faster rates.
an interference seen on the monitor or rhythm strip,
which may look like a wandering or fuzzy baseline. It
can be caused by patient movements, loose or
defective electrodes, improper grounding, or faulty
ECG equipment such as broken worse or cables.
Artifact
Some can mimic lethal dysrhythmias such as
ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.
ASSESS PATIENT TO DIFFERENTIATE ARTIFACT
FROM ACTUAL LETHAL RHYTHMS. DO NOT RELY
ONLY ON THE ECG MONITOR.
