Dysrhythmias & Treatments Exam Questions With Accurate
Answers.
Symptoms of dysrhythmias are related to what underlying physiologic
concept? - accurate answers-decreased perfusion
Name some potential symptoms of a cardiac dysrhythmia. - accurate
answers--hypotension
-dizziness, syncope
-dyspnea
-chest pain
-palpitations
-weakness, fatigue
-anxiety, restlessness
-diaphoresis
-pale, cool skin
-delayed capillary refill
-decreased urine output
What is a tachydysrhythmia? Describe the physiologic effects of a
tachydysrhythmia. - accurate answers-any dysrhythmia in which the HR is
greater than 100; shortens diastolic time & coronary perfusion time, meaning
heart cannot properly fill & perfusion is decreased
What is a bradydysrhythmia? Describe the physiologic effects of a
bradydysrhythmia. - accurate answers-any dysrhythmia in which the HR is
less than 60; rate is too slow to provide adequate cardiac output
What are premature complexes? - accurate answers-complexes that occur
when a cell other than the SA node becomes irritable & fires an impulse before
the next sinus complex
What does paroxysmal mean in relation to dysrhythmias? - accurate answers-
intermittent rhythms initiated by a premature beat; typically self-limiting
List the two sinus dysrhythmias. - accurate answers--sinus bradycardia
-sinus tachycardia
,Name some potential causes of sinus bradycardia. - accurate answers--Vagal
stimulation
-beta blockers
-antianxiety meds
-conditioned athletes
When is sinus bradycardia treated? How is it treated? - accurate answers-if
patient is symptomatic; atropine
What kind of medication is atropine? How does it work? - accurate answers-
anticholinergic; increases HR by blocking parasympathetic actions of the heart
Name some potential causes of sinus tachycardia. - accurate answers--anxiety,
fright, stress
-exercise
-pain, fever
-hypovolemia
-hypoxemia
-caffeine, alcohol, nicotine
-dopamine
-thyroid medications
When is sinus tachycardia treated? How is it treated? - accurate answers-if
patient is symptomatic; treat underlying cause
In cardiac patients, we want potassium levels to be at least _______. - accurate
answers-4
In cardiac patients, we want magnesium levels to be at least _____. - accurate
answers-2
Name some potential causes of atrial dysrhythmias. - accurate answers--
hypoxia
-stress, anxiety
-potassium or magnesium imbalance
-myocardial ischemia
-infection
-fatigue
-stimulants
, -anesthesia
-digoxin
-caffeine, alcohol, nicotine
Name 4 atrial dysrhythmias. - accurate answers--premature atrial
contractions (PACs)
-supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
-atrial fibrillation (Afib)
-atrial flutter (A-Flutter)
Describe the underlying pathophysiology of premature atrial contractions
(PACs). - accurate answers-ectopic foci in atrial tissue (cells that do not
normally create an electrical impulse) become irritable & create an impulse
Are premature atrial contractions (PACs) life-threatening? - accurate answers-
no
What do PACs look like on an ECG? - accurate answers-a PAC looks like a NSR
beat, but comes early
When are PACs treated? How are they treated? - accurate answers-if patient is
symptomatic; O2, electrolyte replacement, antidysrhythmics if frequent
Which 3 antidysrhythmics might be given for symptomatic, frequent PACs? -
accurate answers-amiodarone, metoprolol, digoxin
What is amiodarone? How does it work? What is it used for? - accurate
answers-antidysrhythmic; blocks potassium channels; used for both atrial &
ventricular dysrhythmias
Name & describe the "3 A's" of dysrhythmia medications. - accurate answers-
1. Atropine --> anticholinergic, increases HR by blocking parasympathetic
action of the heart; used to treat symptomatic sinus bradycardia
2. Amiodarone --> antidysrhythmic; blocks potassium channels; used for both
atrial & ventricular dysrhythmias
Answers.
Symptoms of dysrhythmias are related to what underlying physiologic
concept? - accurate answers-decreased perfusion
Name some potential symptoms of a cardiac dysrhythmia. - accurate
answers--hypotension
-dizziness, syncope
-dyspnea
-chest pain
-palpitations
-weakness, fatigue
-anxiety, restlessness
-diaphoresis
-pale, cool skin
-delayed capillary refill
-decreased urine output
What is a tachydysrhythmia? Describe the physiologic effects of a
tachydysrhythmia. - accurate answers-any dysrhythmia in which the HR is
greater than 100; shortens diastolic time & coronary perfusion time, meaning
heart cannot properly fill & perfusion is decreased
What is a bradydysrhythmia? Describe the physiologic effects of a
bradydysrhythmia. - accurate answers-any dysrhythmia in which the HR is
less than 60; rate is too slow to provide adequate cardiac output
What are premature complexes? - accurate answers-complexes that occur
when a cell other than the SA node becomes irritable & fires an impulse before
the next sinus complex
What does paroxysmal mean in relation to dysrhythmias? - accurate answers-
intermittent rhythms initiated by a premature beat; typically self-limiting
List the two sinus dysrhythmias. - accurate answers--sinus bradycardia
-sinus tachycardia
,Name some potential causes of sinus bradycardia. - accurate answers--Vagal
stimulation
-beta blockers
-antianxiety meds
-conditioned athletes
When is sinus bradycardia treated? How is it treated? - accurate answers-if
patient is symptomatic; atropine
What kind of medication is atropine? How does it work? - accurate answers-
anticholinergic; increases HR by blocking parasympathetic actions of the heart
Name some potential causes of sinus tachycardia. - accurate answers--anxiety,
fright, stress
-exercise
-pain, fever
-hypovolemia
-hypoxemia
-caffeine, alcohol, nicotine
-dopamine
-thyroid medications
When is sinus tachycardia treated? How is it treated? - accurate answers-if
patient is symptomatic; treat underlying cause
In cardiac patients, we want potassium levels to be at least _______. - accurate
answers-4
In cardiac patients, we want magnesium levels to be at least _____. - accurate
answers-2
Name some potential causes of atrial dysrhythmias. - accurate answers--
hypoxia
-stress, anxiety
-potassium or magnesium imbalance
-myocardial ischemia
-infection
-fatigue
-stimulants
, -anesthesia
-digoxin
-caffeine, alcohol, nicotine
Name 4 atrial dysrhythmias. - accurate answers--premature atrial
contractions (PACs)
-supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
-atrial fibrillation (Afib)
-atrial flutter (A-Flutter)
Describe the underlying pathophysiology of premature atrial contractions
(PACs). - accurate answers-ectopic foci in atrial tissue (cells that do not
normally create an electrical impulse) become irritable & create an impulse
Are premature atrial contractions (PACs) life-threatening? - accurate answers-
no
What do PACs look like on an ECG? - accurate answers-a PAC looks like a NSR
beat, but comes early
When are PACs treated? How are they treated? - accurate answers-if patient is
symptomatic; O2, electrolyte replacement, antidysrhythmics if frequent
Which 3 antidysrhythmics might be given for symptomatic, frequent PACs? -
accurate answers-amiodarone, metoprolol, digoxin
What is amiodarone? How does it work? What is it used for? - accurate
answers-antidysrhythmic; blocks potassium channels; used for both atrial &
ventricular dysrhythmias
Name & describe the "3 A's" of dysrhythmia medications. - accurate answers-
1. Atropine --> anticholinergic, increases HR by blocking parasympathetic
action of the heart; used to treat symptomatic sinus bradycardia
2. Amiodarone --> antidysrhythmic; blocks potassium channels; used for both
atrial & ventricular dysrhythmias
