Nursing 366 Sherpath week 2 cardiology
Basic ekg
Match the property of the cardiac conduction system with its description.
Property of the cell that
... [Show More] allows it to accept initiation of stimulation
Excitability
Property that moves electrical impulse along a membrane
Conductivity
Ability of heart muscle to respond mechanically to an impulse
Contractility
Ability of heart muscle to initiate an impulse, begin stimulation
Automaticity
List in order the pathway of the normal cardiac impulse starting at the SA node.
The impulse causes the atria to contract.
The impulse travels from the AV node through the bundle of His.
The impulse divides into the left and right bundle branches.
The impulse reaches the Purkinje fibers.
The ventricles contract.
An increase in the rate of cardiac impulse initiation is linked to stimulation of which component?
Sympathetic nervous system
Which electrolytes play key roles in polarization of the heart cells?
Sodium and potassium
Which wave on the ECG tracing will provide the nurse more information about atrial
depolarization?
B
A patient asks the nurse, “Why do I need a 12-lead ECG if my heart rate is within normal limits?”
The nurse responds by explaining that which heart conditions may be identified by the 12-lead
ECG?Select all that apply.
Cardiotoxicity
Irregular rhythm
Myocardial infarction
Which ECG component would the nurse measure to identify the total time needed for ventricular
depolarization and repolarization of a patient’s heart?
D
The nurse is assessing heart rate from a patient’s ECG and counts 8 R-R intervals in a 60-
second stretch. The patient’s heart rate is 80 beats per minute
A review of a patient’s 12-lead ECG reveals sinus bradycardia. Which information should the
nurse expect to find in the patient history? Select all that apply.
Marathon training
Increased intracranial pressure
Prolonged exposure to extreme cold
A nurse is gathering the history for a patient with sinus tachycardia. Which information should be
expected based on the patient’s condition?
Anemia
A patient presents with fatigue, dizziness and chest pain. On assessment, the patient’s heart
rate is 55 beats per minute and blood pressure is 85/60. A dopamine infusion is ineffective at
reducing symptoms and returning vital signs to normal. The nurse should expect the health care
provider to schedule the patient for which procedure?
Placement of a permanent pacemaker
A patient presents with a sinus rate of 150 beats per minute and body temperature of 103 °F;
the patient is otherwise clinically stable. How should the nurse prepare to manage the patient’s
sinus tachycardia?
Prepare to administer antipyretics.
QUIZ
Question 1 of 14
Which statement describes the role of the Purkinje fibers in the pathway of the normal cardiac
cycle?
Correct
Conduction of impulses through the ventricles leading to ventricular muscle contraction
Question 2 of 14
Which action results in the atria after firing of the sinoatrial (SA) node?
Correct
Contraction of the atria to move blood to the ventricles
The SA node initiates the normal cardiac cycle. The end result is the contraction of the right and
left atrium as they push blood into the ventricles.
Question 3 of 14
Which physiologic process is responsible for repolarization of heart cells?
Correct
Movement of sodium out of the cell
When a cell or groups of cells is stimulated, the cell membrane changes its permeability. This
allows sodium to move rapidly into the cell, making the inside of the cell positive compared with
the outside (depolarization). A slower movement of sodium ions across the membrane restores
the cell to the polarized state, called repolarization.
Question 4 of 14
The nurse is reviewing a patient’s ECG reading and notices artifact on the monitor. Which action
should the nurse perform to identify the cause of the artifact?
Correct
Determine the condition of the conductive gel on the electrodes
Accurate interpretation of heart rhythm is difficult when artifact is present. If artifact occurs,
check the connections in the equipment. Replace the electrodes if the conductive gel has dried
out.
Question 5 of 14
A nursing student is discussing a rhythm strip with the faculty member. Which rationale explains
a shortened QT interval?
Correct
A faster heart rate
The QT represents the total time required for ventricular depolarization and repolarization. A
shortened QT interval is associated with a quicker time for depolarization and repolarization, i.e.
a faster heart rate.
Question 6 of 14
Using the R-R interval formula, the heart rate in the 6-second strip shown measures __ beats
per minute.ECG tracing. The line starts with a short flat area, a small hill, a small valley, a large
peak, a small valley, and then a medium hill. This pattern repeats with minimal variation 9 times.
90
Heart rate using the R-R method includes counting the number of R waves in a 6-second strip
and multiplying the result by 10. In this strip there are 9 R-R intervals multiplied by 10 = 90
beats per minute.
Question 7 of 14
The nurse obtains an ECG for a 53-year-old patient with chest pain. The nurse palpates a heart
rate of 106. Which alteration in waveform should the nurse expect to see on the ECG tracing?
Correct
Short QT interval
The nurse would expect a shortened QT interval for tachycardic patients.
Question 8 of 14
The nurse is caring for a patient with chest tightness and shortness of breath. The ECG tracing
reports sinus tachycardia. Which additional finding should be expected?
Correct
Heart rate is 114 beats per minute
Characteristics of sinus tachycardia include a heart rate >100 beats per minute.
Question 9 of 14
The nurse is teaching a cardiac seminar for a local community center. The nurse knows further
teaching is needed if a member makes which comment about bradycardia?
Correct
“I should stop my speed walking sessions since my heart rate is 50 beats per minute.”
Sinus bradycardia may be a normal sinus rhythm in aerobically trained athletes and in some
people during sleep. [Show Less]