Module 14: electrical conduction, normal sinus rhythm, sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia Flashcards | Quizlet

What is the SA node?

Pacemaker of the heart, across the arteries

What is the AV node?

Gatekeeper, why atria and ventricles don't beat at the same time

What is the Bundle of His?

A bundle of modified heart muscle that transmits the cardiac impulse from the AV node to the ventricles causing them to contract

What are Purkinje fibers?

These tiny terminal fibers branch off the bundle branches and spread deep into the inner muscle walls of the ventricles. They trigger a fast, uniform contraction of the heart muscle

What does the P wave do?

Represents atrial depolarization (atria contracts)

What is the PR segment?

How long did it take to go from the SA node to the AV node

What is the QRS complex?

Ventricular depolarization (contraction of the ventricles)

What is the normal duration for the QRS complex?

$$0.12-0.20\,\text{seconds}$$

What is the ST segment?

How long did it take to depolarize and depolarize

What does ST elevation or decline tell us?

Myocardial infarction

What is the T-wave?

Ventricular repolarization (ventricles relaxing)

What is a normal sinus rhythm?

Regular, $60-100\,\text{bpm}$, P-wave is uniform shape, one P wave for each QRS complex, PR interval: $0.12-0.20\,\text{seconds}$ and constant, QRS: less than $0.12\,\text{seconds}$

What are the causes of sinus bradycardia?

Sleep, athletes, beta-blockers, increased vagal tone, hypoxia, inferior MI

What are the assessment findings of sinus bradycardia?

May be asymptomatic, dizzy, fatigued, hypotension, syncope, altered LOC

What are the nursing considerations of sinus bradycardia?

Assess HR, BP, LOC, perfusion, asymtomatic-assess cause, unstable- treat asap, prepare atropine

What are the causes of sinus tachycardia?

Pain, fever, anxiety, dehydration, hypoxia, anemia, shock

What are the assessment findings of sinus tachycardia?

Palpitations, dyspnea, chest discomfort, hypotension

What are the nursing considerations for sinus tachycardia?

Vitals, fluid status, treat underlying cause first

When there is persistent tachycardia what happens?

Increase myocardial $O_2$ demand, and decreased ventricular filling time, with decreased perfusion

What is the management of bradycardia?

1. Why slow HR, given meds 2. Tolerating rythm 3. Meds: Atropine: blocks vagus nerve, increasing HR, and Epinephrine/Dopamine

What is the management of tachycardia?

1. What's causing the slow HR 2. How are they tolerating rhythm - above $150$ could be something else 3. Rate control: beta blockers, calcium channel blockers (check HR and BP before giving)

What is atropine used for, and what is the nursing management of the medication?

1. Symptomatic bradycardia 2. Monitor HR/BP, max $3\,\text{mg}$

What is metoprolol used for, and what is the nursing management of the medication?

1. Tachycardia 2. Decreases HR, monitor for bradycardia, hypotension

What is dialzetem used for, and what is the nursing management of the medication?

1. Selected tachyarrythmias 2. Slows AV conduction, monitor HR/BP

What do you do if you have bradycardia and not responding to atropine?

Prepare a transcutaneous pacing and prescribed vasoactive infusion