Dysrhythmias Exam Question & Correct Answer (Midterm) 2024

Dysrhythmias Exam Question & Correct Answer (Midterm) 2024 Excitability - CORRECT ANSWER-the ability of non-pacemaker heart cells to respond to an electrical impulse that begins in pacemaker cells. Depolarization - CORRECT ANSWER-occurs when the normally negatively charged cells within the heart muscle develop a positive charge. Conductivity - CORRECT ANSWER-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 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. Contractility - CORRECT ANSWER-the ability of atrial and ventricular muscle cells to shorten their fiber length in response to electrical stimulation, causing sufficient pressure to push blood forward through the heart. In other words, this is the mechanical activity of the heart.