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Pacemaker
PATIENT NAME ______________________________ SOC _______________
INITIAL
Define a pacemaker.
______ ______ A. It provides an artificial electrical stimulus to the heart muscle to create a
heartbeat.
______ ______ B. It consists of a battery-powered pulse generator and a catheter electrode
that is inserted into the right side of the heart or ventricle.
______ ______ C. A pacemaker can be inserted for temporary or long-term pacing.
Describe two types of pacemakers.
______ ______ A. A demand-rate pacemaker generates an electrical stimulus only if the heart
rate falls below a preset level.
______ ______ B. A fixed-rate pacemaker is set at a certain rate and constantly creates
electrical stimuli regardless of the heart’s rhythm.
Measures for pacemaker management.
______ ______ A. Monitor pulse at rest as instructed by physician and report rate if less than
set amount.
______ ______ B. Report fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, etc.
______ ______ C. Follow precautions around electricity:
______ ______ 1. Avoid areas of high voltage such as power plants, radio transmitters, large
industrial magnets, and certain antitheft alarm systems.
______ ______ 2. Ground home appliances.
______ ______ 3. Use caution around microwaves and blow dryers.
______ ______ D. Carry a pacemaker identity card that includes the settings and function of the
pacer, who manufactured it, and the telephone number of physician and
hospital.
______ ______ E. Avoid any type of trauma to pulse generator:
______ ______ 1. Avoid constrictive clothing.
______ ______ 2. Avoid bumping pulse generator.
______ ______ 3. Avoid contact sports.
______ ______ F. Show pacemaker card at airport security checks.
______ ______ G. Inform professional, i.e., dentist, technicians, physician, etc. of pacemaker.
______ ______ H. Follow postoperative activity as ordered.
______ ______ 1. Resume driving, sexual relations, exercise, etc. as ordered by physician.
______ ______ 2. Most activities can be resumed in four to six weeks.
______ ______ 3. Perform range of motion exercises as instructed to affected shoulder.
______ ______ I. Assess wound and report signs and symptoms of infection, i.e., redness,
tenderness, drainage, fever.
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Pacemaker
PATIENT NAME ______________________________ SOC _______________
Need for follow-up care.
______ ______ A. Keep follow-up appointments with physician.
______ ______ B. Keep appointment for battery checks, which may be done at the hospital or
at home via telephone system.
______ ______ C. Change battery as needed (most last five to ten years).
Signs and symptoms of possible complications.
______ ______ A. Infection.
______ ______ B. Pacemaker malfunction.
______ ______ C. Bleeding.
______ ______ D. Cardiac dysrhythmias.
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