Download STUDY GUIDE dysrhythmias Tucker

J. Tucker, RN, MSN/Ed
Dysrhythmia Study Guide
Nur1229
STUDY GUIDE – DYSRHYTHMIAS
WELCOME TO EKG WORLD!!!
This information is fun and easy to learn, but you must come to class prepared! This study guide should
help you focus your reading so I am making it required. I will be collecting them at the beginning of class.
READING ASSIGNMENT
Chapter 26 in Brunner – under Types of Dysrhythmias
 Normal sinus rhythm
 Sinus bradycardia
 Sinus tachycardia
 Atrial fibrillation
 Premature ventricular complexes
 Ventricular tachycardia
 Ventricular fibrillation
 Ventricular Asystole
 Third-degree atrioventricular block
Chapter 26 in Brunner – under Adjunctive Modalities
 Cardioversion and Defibrillation
 Pacemaker therapy
o Design and types
o Complications of pacemaker use
 Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
o Nursing management
o Chart 26-2
GLOSSARY –
STUDY QUESTIONS
 How are dysrhythmias diagnosed?
 Explain the normal electrical conduction in the heart.
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How does the sympathetic nervous system affect the cardiovascular system?
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How does the parasympathetic nervous system affect the cardiovascular system?
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What is an electrocardiogram?
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What are the different types of an ECG?
J. Tucker, RN, MSN/Ed
Dysrhythmia Study Guide
Nur1229
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Why is it important to analyze an ECG waveform?
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What is measured on the horizontal axis of an ECG?
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What is measured on the vertical axis of an ECG?
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What is a positive deflection on an ECG waveform?
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What is a negative defection on an ECG waveform?
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P waves
o What does a P wave represent?
o What do they look like?
QRS complex
o What does the QRS complex represent?
o Do all QRS complexes have all three waveforms?
o What is the first negative deflection after the P wave?
o What is the first positive deflection after the P wave?
o What is the first negative deflection after the R wave?
o How is it measured?
o What is the normal range?
T wave
o What does it represent?
o What does it follow?
U wave
o What does it represent?
o What other circumstances might make the U wave visible on an ECG waveform?
o What does it follow?
o What does it look like in relation to the P wave?
ST segment
o What does it represent?
o When does it start and end?
o Is the ST segment isoelectric? What does this mean?
o What does it indicate if the ST segment is not isoelectric?
Determining the heart rate on an ECG
o R to R method (define)
o 6 second method (define)
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J. Tucker, RN, MSN/Ed
Dysrhythmia Study Guide
Nur1229
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Determining the heart rhythm on an ECG
o Regular (describe)
o Irregular (describe)
Analyzing the ECG
o Chart 27-2 (review)
What does the nurse need to assess when caring for a client with a dysrhythmia?
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What are the nursing interventions for a client with a dysrhythmia?
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When would a pacemaker be indicated?
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What are two types of pacemakers?
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What is the most common complication after pacemaker insertion?
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o
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How would the nurse know this complication was occurring?
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What other complications can occur?
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Why are cardioversion and defibrillation used? What type of dysrhythmia indicates the
need for these?
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What are two differences between cardioversion and defibrillation?
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What are two safety measures that need to be observed when cardioverting or
defibrillating a client?
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Cardioversion
o What is cardioversion?
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What is the defibrillator set to?
What does the synchronized mode prevent?
o
Why is the T wave called the “vulnerable period”?
J. Tucker, RN, MSN/Ed
Dysrhythmia Study Guide
Nur1229
o
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Defibrillation
o When is defibrillation performed? For what type of dysrhythmia?
o
o
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What are the nursing assessments and interventions when a client is being
cardioverted?
How many times do you defibrillate a client?
What should happen if defibrillation is unsuccessful?
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What is an implantable Cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD)?
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What type of dysrhythmia are ICDs used for?
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What complications can occur following ICD insertion?
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What are the nursing interventions following an ICD insertion?
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What does the nurse need to teach the client following ICD insertion?
J. Tucker, RN, MSN/Ed
Dysrhythmia Study Guide
Nur1229
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND FILL IN THE BLANKS
Electrical stimulation is called _________________________________.
Mechanical contraction is called________________________________.
Electrical relaxation is called____________________________________.
Mechanical relaxation is called__________________________________.
Depolarization is to _____________________ as _______________________ is to diastole.
NORMAL ELECTRICAL CONDUCTION
The electrical impulse originates in the ________________ which is located in the
_______________. The normal rate ranges from __________ to _______________ times a
minute in the adult.
The electrical impulse then travels through the _______________ to the _________________.
This electrical stimulation of the muscle cells cause ______________ ______________.
The electrical impulse then travels quickly through the ventricular muscle through the
_________________ ___ __________________, to the right and left _____________________
_____________________, and the _______________ fibers. This electrical stimulation of the
muscle cells cause _______________ ______________.
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