lOMoARcPSD|20734855
N201 Atrial dysrhythmias
, lOMoARcPSD|20734855
Atrial Dysrhythmias
Dysrhythmias
➔ Results from disorders of impulse formation, conduction of impulses, or both
➔ Normally, the heart discharges impulses spontaneously, which is
termed automaticity
➔ Dysrhythmias occur as a result of various abnormalities and disease states
➔ The cause of the dysrhythmias influences the patients treatment
◆ ALWAYS TREAT THE CAUSE
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
➔ One small square = 0.04 seconds
➔ How many small squares in a big square? 5
➔ One big square = 0.20
PQRST
➔ P wave: 0.06-0.12 seconds (1.5-3 small squares)
◆ Atrial depolarization leading to atrial contraction
➔ PR interval: 0.12-0.20 seconds (3-5 small squares)
◆ The time it takes for electrical impulse to reach ventricles
➔ QRS complex: 0.06-0.12 seconds (1.5-3 small squares)
◆ Ventricular depolarization (contraction)
➔ T wave: 0.16 seconds
◆ Ventricular relaxation
➔ Indiscernible: means its difficult or impossible to measure
300 Rule
➔ Determined by looking at large boxes in between QRS complexes
◆ Most frequently determine the ventricular rate
◆ Ventricular rate vs atrial rate:
● Ventricular: determined by number of QRS in 6 sec
● Atrial: determined by number of P waves in 6 sec