Management of Patients With Dysrhythmias and Conduction Problems

A cardiac care nurse is aware of factors that result in positive chronotropy. These factors would affect a patients cardiac function in what way? A. Exacerbating an existing dysrhythmia B. Initiating a new dysrhythmia C. Resolving ventricular tachycardia D. Increasing the heart rate - Ans: D Feedback: Stimulation of the sympathetic system increases heart rate. This phenomenon is known as positive chronotropy. It does not influence dysrhythmias. A group of nurses are participating in orientation to a telemetry unit. What should the staff educator tell this class about ST segments? A. They are the part of an ECG that reflects systole. B. They are the part of an ECG used to calculate ventricular rate and rhythm. C. They are the part of an ECG that reflects the time from ventricular depolarization through repolarization. D. They are the part of an ECG that represents early ventricular repolarization. - Ans: D Feedback: ST segment is the part of an ECG that reflects the end of the QRS complex to the beginning of the T wave. The part of an ECG that reflects repolarization of the ventricles is the T wave. The part of an ECG used to calculate ventricular rate and rhythm is the RR interval. The part of an ECG that reflects the time from ventricular depolarization through repolarization is the QT interval. A nurse is caring for a patient who is exhibiting ventricular tachycardia (VT). Because the patient is pulseless, the nurse should prepare for what intervention? A. Defibrillation B. ECG monitoring C. Implantation of a cardioverter defibrillator D. Angioplasty - Ans: A Feedback: Any type of VT in a patient who is unconscious and without a pulse is treated in the same manner as ventricular fibrillation: Immediate defibrillation is the action of choice.