DYSRHYTHMIAS FINAL PAPER STUDY
GUIDE SOLVED QUESTIONS VERIFIED
●● how are dysrhythmias identified?
Answer: Electrographic Waveform Analysis (ECG)
●● what controls the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat?
Answer: the heart's electrical system
●● explain the heart's electrical system
Answer: Each electrical signal (impulse) begins in a group of cells called
the sinus node or sinoatrial (SA) node. The SA node is located in the
right atrium. In a healthy adult heart at rest, the SA node sends an
electrical signal to begin a new heartbeat 60 to 100 times a minute. (This
rate may be slower in very fit athletes.)
From the SA node, the electrical signal travels through the right and left
atria. It causes the atria to contract and pump blood into the ventricles.
The electrical signal then moves down to a group of cells called the
atrioventricular (AV) node, located between the atria and the ventricles.
Here, the signal slows down slightly, allowing the ventricles time to
finish filling with blood.
,The electrical signal then leaves the AV node and travels to the
ventricles. It causes the ventricles to contract and pump blood to the
lungs and the rest of the body. The ventricles then relax, and the
heartbeat process starts all over again in the SA node.
●● normal sinus rhythm (characteristics)
Answer: 1. Rate:60-100 beats/min
Rhythm: regular
2. P wave: upright .06-.12 sec
3. PR interval: .12-.20 sec
4. QRS complex: <.03 sec
●● Sinus Bradycardia
Answer: in sinus bradycardia, the conduction pathway is the same but
the impulse generates in the SA node slower than usual causing a slowed
heart rate >60
-symptomatic sinus bradycardia refers to a HR >60 and is inadequate for
the patients condition causing symptoms
●● sinus bradycardia (ECG characteristics)
Answer: 1. Rate: < 60 beats/min
Rhythm: regular
2. P wave: Normal
,3. PR interval: Normal
4. QRS complex: Normal
●● sinus bradycardia clinical associations
Answer: 1. may be a normal in ATHLETES and during SLEEP
2. occurs in response to:
carotid sinus massage
Valsalva maneuver
hypothermia
increased intraocular pressure
vagal stimulation
and certain drugs ( Bblockers, Ca channel blockers)
3. disease states associated with it:
hypothyroidism
increased intracranial pressure
hypoglycemia
inferior MI
, ●● Sinus Bradycardia: Clinical Significance
Answer: clinical significance of sinus bradycardia depends on how the
pt tolerates it.
S&S of symptomatic sinus bradycardia include:
pale, cool skin
hypotension
weakness
angina
dizziness/syncope
confusion/disorientation
shortness of breath
●● treatment for symptomatic sinus bradycardia
Answer: atropine (anticholinergic)
transcutaneous pacing
dopamine/epinephrine infusion
permanent pacemaker
GUIDE SOLVED QUESTIONS VERIFIED
●● how are dysrhythmias identified?
Answer: Electrographic Waveform Analysis (ECG)
●● what controls the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat?
Answer: the heart's electrical system
●● explain the heart's electrical system
Answer: Each electrical signal (impulse) begins in a group of cells called
the sinus node or sinoatrial (SA) node. The SA node is located in the
right atrium. In a healthy adult heart at rest, the SA node sends an
electrical signal to begin a new heartbeat 60 to 100 times a minute. (This
rate may be slower in very fit athletes.)
From the SA node, the electrical signal travels through the right and left
atria. It causes the atria to contract and pump blood into the ventricles.
The electrical signal then moves down to a group of cells called the
atrioventricular (AV) node, located between the atria and the ventricles.
Here, the signal slows down slightly, allowing the ventricles time to
finish filling with blood.
,The electrical signal then leaves the AV node and travels to the
ventricles. It causes the ventricles to contract and pump blood to the
lungs and the rest of the body. The ventricles then relax, and the
heartbeat process starts all over again in the SA node.
●● normal sinus rhythm (characteristics)
Answer: 1. Rate:60-100 beats/min
Rhythm: regular
2. P wave: upright .06-.12 sec
3. PR interval: .12-.20 sec
4. QRS complex: <.03 sec
●● Sinus Bradycardia
Answer: in sinus bradycardia, the conduction pathway is the same but
the impulse generates in the SA node slower than usual causing a slowed
heart rate >60
-symptomatic sinus bradycardia refers to a HR >60 and is inadequate for
the patients condition causing symptoms
●● sinus bradycardia (ECG characteristics)
Answer: 1. Rate: < 60 beats/min
Rhythm: regular
2. P wave: Normal
,3. PR interval: Normal
4. QRS complex: Normal
●● sinus bradycardia clinical associations
Answer: 1. may be a normal in ATHLETES and during SLEEP
2. occurs in response to:
carotid sinus massage
Valsalva maneuver
hypothermia
increased intraocular pressure
vagal stimulation
and certain drugs ( Bblockers, Ca channel blockers)
3. disease states associated with it:
hypothyroidism
increased intracranial pressure
hypoglycemia
inferior MI
, ●● Sinus Bradycardia: Clinical Significance
Answer: clinical significance of sinus bradycardia depends on how the
pt tolerates it.
S&S of symptomatic sinus bradycardia include:
pale, cool skin
hypotension
weakness
angina
dizziness/syncope
confusion/disorientation
shortness of breath
●● treatment for symptomatic sinus bradycardia
Answer: atropine (anticholinergic)
transcutaneous pacing
dopamine/epinephrine infusion
permanent pacemaker
