NUR 4385 Adult Health III Theory
Module 2: Cardiac Dysrhythmias Study Guide
Terms to know
Definitions
Acute coronary
syndrome (ACS)
Asystole
Atrial fibrillation
Automatic external
defibrillator (AED)
Cardiac pacemaker
Complete heart block
Dysrhythmias
Premature ventricular
contraction (PVC)
Telemetry monitoring,
electrocardiogram
(ECG)
Ventricular fibrillation
Ventricular tachycardia
SA node
AV node
1
Terms to know
Definitions
Depolarization
Repolarization
Isoelectric line
Artifact
Atrium
Ventricle
Bundle of His
Bundle branches
Purkinje fibers
Implantable
cardioverter defibrillator
(ICD)
Ischemia
Infarction
Questions
Answers
What is an
electrocardiogram (ECG)?
2
Questions
Answers
What is the difference
between a 12L ECG and
telemetry monitoring?
Identify a P wave, PR
interval, QRS complex, ST
segment, and T wave on an
ECG waveform.
Relate the electrical activity
of the heart to the
mechanical activity of the
heart on an ECG waveform.
For example, what is
happening electrically and
mechanically during the P
wave, QRS complex, and T
wave?
Describe the step by step
approach to assess heart
rhythm.
What is an artifact?
3
Questions
Answers
Identify the following
rhythms: normal sinus
rhythm, premature
ventricular contractions
(PVCs) sinus bradycardia,
sinus tachycardia,
supraventricular
tachycardia (SVT), atrial
fibrillation, third degree
AV(complete) block,
ventricular tachycardia,
ventricular fibrillation,
asystole, and pacemakers.
What assessment findings
and complications are
associated with each of the
above rhythms?
4
Questions
Answers
What nursing management
and medications are used
for the management of
each of the above rhythms?
Which of the above
rhythms are deadly?
Which of the above
rhythm(s) require
defibrillation?
What assessment findings
are associated with
tachycardia versus
bradycardia?
5
Questions
Answers
How is sinus tachycardia
different than SVT?
What are common causes
of dysrhythmias?
What is a major
complication of atrial
fibrillation?
How is atrial fibrillation
pharmacologically
managed?
What is an implantable
cardioverter-defibrillator
(ICD)?
Which clients may need an
ICD?
6
Questions
Answers
List client teaching related
to an ICD.
What is a pacemaker?
What are indications for a
pacemaker?
What is essential client
teaching for a newly
implanted pacemaker?
What ECG changes are
seen with ischemia and/or
infarction?
Why do ECG changes occur
in myocardial injury and
MI?
7
Questions
Answers
What ECG changes occur
with hypokalemia?
Hyperkalemia?
8