Nursing Management: Patients With Arrhythmias and Conduction Problems

Flashcards covering essential vocabulary related to nursing management of patients with arrhythmias and conduction problems.

SA Node

The primary pacemaker of the heart.

AV Node

The secondary pacemaker of the heart.

Effective Refractory Period

A phase during which a cell is unresponsive to any electrical stimulus and cannot initiate early depolarization.

Refractory Period

A stage of resistance to stimulation where a stronger than normal stimulus may initiate depolarization prematurely.

Arrhythmias

Disorders of electrical impulses within the heart that cause disturbances in heart rate or rhythm.

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

A type of arrhythmia characterized by quivering atria and a risk of clot formation.

QRS Complex

Represents ventricular depolarization on an electrocardiogram.

T Wave

Indicates ventricular repolarization on an electrocardiogram.

Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)

A rapid heart rate that occurs when the heart's electrical system creates an abnormal rhythm; can be pulseless.

Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)

Electrical activity is present on the ECG, but there is no pulse.

First-Degree Atrioventricular Block

Characterized by a prolonged PR interval with all P waves followed by a QRS complex.

Wenckebach (Type I Second-Degree AV Block)

Progressively longer PR intervals until a QRS is dropped.

Mobitz II (Type II Second-Degree AV Block)

Intermittent failure of conduction from atria to ventricles without warning.

Third-Degree Atrioventricular Block

Complete disassociation between atrial and ventricular activity.

Hypovolemia

A decreased volume of blood in the body, which can lead to cardiac arrest.

Tachydysrhythmias

Rapid heart rates greater than 100 beats per minute.

Bradycardias

Slow heart rates less than 60 beats per minute.