Med Surg Ch 29 Cardiac Dysrhythmia | Questions with 100% Correct Answers | New Update 2023

A patient's heart rate is 48 beats per minute. Which structure is most likely generating this heart rate? 1) Purkinje fibers 2) Sinoatrial node 3) Atrioventricular node 4) Ventricular pacer cells - ANS: 3 The AV node can generate impulses at a rate of 40 to 60 bpm. The nurse is concerned that a patient is at risk for pulseless electrical activity. What information from the assessment did the nurse use to make this clinical decision? 1) Blood pH 7.30 2) Temperature 100.5°F 3) Serum glucose level 170 mg/dL 4) Serum potassium level 4.1 mEq/L - ANS: 1 Causes of pulseless electrical activity include acidosis, which is reflected in a blood pH less than 7.35. A patient asks why cardiac leads are being placed on the chest. What should the nurse respond to this patient? 1) "It shows where the heart vessels are blocked." 2) "It is used to evaluate the effectiveness of dietary changes."