NSG 431 Exam 1 Questions with Latest
Update
Automaticity - Answer-The ability of the heart to generate and conduct electrical
impulses
Excitability - Answer-The ability of the cardiac cells to respond to impulse
Contractility - Answer-Ability to contract
Conductivity - Answer-Ability to pass impulse along to other cells
What is the pacemaker of the heart? - Answer-SA node
Normal Ca values - Answer-8.6 - 10.2
Normal Mg values - Answer-1.5-2.5 mEq/L
Intrinsic rate of SA node - Answer-60 - 100 bpm
Intrinsic rate of AV node - Answer-40-60 bpm
Intrinsic rate of ventricles (Purkinje Fibers) - Answer-20 - 40 bpm
P wave - Answer-Atrial depolarization (contraction). Should be upright on ECG.
Normal duration 0.6 - 0.12
PR interval - Answer-time taken for impulse to spread until right before ventricles
contract.
Normal duration 0.12 - 0.20
QRS complex - Answer-represents contraction of the ventricles (systole)
Normal duration < 0.12
ST segment - Answer-time between ventricular depolarization and repolarization.
Should be a flat line
Normal duration 0.12
T wave - Answer-Ventricular repolarization. Should be upright
, Normal duration 0.16
Normal Sinus Rhythm - Answer-
Premature Atrial Contraction - Answer-- Irregular
-Rate is 60-100 bpm
-P wave has an abnormal shape
-Firing occurring someplace other than the SA node
-Beats too soon
Causes of Premature Atrial Contraction - Answer-Emotional stress, physical fatigue,
caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, hypoxia, electrolyte imbalances (hypokalemia),
hyperthyroidism, COPD, HD, CAD, valvular disease
Treatment
Sinus bradycardia - Answer-Regular rhythm
Rate is <60
SA node slows
Causes of Sinus bradycardia - Answer-· Vagus nerve stimulation causes slow down
· Hypothermia
· Beta Blockers (some patient accidentally doubles the dose)
· Calcium Channel Blockers
. aerobically trained athletes
s/sx of Sinus bradycardia - Answer-Fatigue, dizziness, chest pain, syncope
Manifests as pale, cool skin, hypotension, weakness, angina, dizziness syncope,
confusion, disorientation, and SOB
Treatment of sinus bradycardia - Answer-. IV atropine
. pacemaker
. dopamine or epinephrine infusion
Sinus Tachycardia - Answer-. Regular Rhythm
. Rate of 101-200 bpm
. Normal P, PR inter, and QRS complex
. SA Node is firing quicker, faster than normal rate
Sinus Tachycardia causes - Answer-Caffeine, fever, pain, anemia, anxiety, exercise,
Heart failure, MI, hypoxia, hypovolemia, hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism
Sinus Tachycardia symptoms - Answer-Dizziness, dyspnea, hypotension (decreased
CO)
Sinus Tachycardia treatment - Answer-- beta blockers
Update
Automaticity - Answer-The ability of the heart to generate and conduct electrical
impulses
Excitability - Answer-The ability of the cardiac cells to respond to impulse
Contractility - Answer-Ability to contract
Conductivity - Answer-Ability to pass impulse along to other cells
What is the pacemaker of the heart? - Answer-SA node
Normal Ca values - Answer-8.6 - 10.2
Normal Mg values - Answer-1.5-2.5 mEq/L
Intrinsic rate of SA node - Answer-60 - 100 bpm
Intrinsic rate of AV node - Answer-40-60 bpm
Intrinsic rate of ventricles (Purkinje Fibers) - Answer-20 - 40 bpm
P wave - Answer-Atrial depolarization (contraction). Should be upright on ECG.
Normal duration 0.6 - 0.12
PR interval - Answer-time taken for impulse to spread until right before ventricles
contract.
Normal duration 0.12 - 0.20
QRS complex - Answer-represents contraction of the ventricles (systole)
Normal duration < 0.12
ST segment - Answer-time between ventricular depolarization and repolarization.
Should be a flat line
Normal duration 0.12
T wave - Answer-Ventricular repolarization. Should be upright
, Normal duration 0.16
Normal Sinus Rhythm - Answer-
Premature Atrial Contraction - Answer-- Irregular
-Rate is 60-100 bpm
-P wave has an abnormal shape
-Firing occurring someplace other than the SA node
-Beats too soon
Causes of Premature Atrial Contraction - Answer-Emotional stress, physical fatigue,
caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, hypoxia, electrolyte imbalances (hypokalemia),
hyperthyroidism, COPD, HD, CAD, valvular disease
Treatment
Sinus bradycardia - Answer-Regular rhythm
Rate is <60
SA node slows
Causes of Sinus bradycardia - Answer-· Vagus nerve stimulation causes slow down
· Hypothermia
· Beta Blockers (some patient accidentally doubles the dose)
· Calcium Channel Blockers
. aerobically trained athletes
s/sx of Sinus bradycardia - Answer-Fatigue, dizziness, chest pain, syncope
Manifests as pale, cool skin, hypotension, weakness, angina, dizziness syncope,
confusion, disorientation, and SOB
Treatment of sinus bradycardia - Answer-. IV atropine
. pacemaker
. dopamine or epinephrine infusion
Sinus Tachycardia - Answer-. Regular Rhythm
. Rate of 101-200 bpm
. Normal P, PR inter, and QRS complex
. SA Node is firing quicker, faster than normal rate
Sinus Tachycardia causes - Answer-Caffeine, fever, pain, anemia, anxiety, exercise,
Heart failure, MI, hypoxia, hypovolemia, hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism
Sinus Tachycardia symptoms - Answer-Dizziness, dyspnea, hypotension (decreased
CO)
Sinus Tachycardia treatment - Answer-- beta blockers
