Harrison, Arkansas
ALDH 1051
CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS
Credit: 1 Semester Hour
Instructor:
Office:
Voice Mail:
Rod Barrett, BA, RN, NREMTP
N 108
(870) 391-3197
Spring 2012
North Arkansas College
Harrison, Arkansas
Course Syllabus
ALDH 1051: Cardiac Arrhythmias
Credit Hours:
1
Lecture Hours:
1
Allotment:
16 weeks
Course prerequisites: none
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
E-mail:
Office Hours:
Section:
Semester:
Day:
Time:
66
Spring 2012
Thursday
4:00 – 4:50 p.m.
Rod Barrett, B.A., R.N., NREMTP
M-108, North Campus
(870) 391-3197
rbarrett@northark.edu
Tuesday 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
By appointment
Required Text:
Atwood, S., Stanton, C., & Storey-Davenport, J. (2011). Introduction to Basic Cardiac
Dysrhythmias –Revised Reprint. (4th Ed.), St. Louis: Mosby/Jems. ISBN: 978-0323-08532-8.
Supplemental Text:
Lippincott, (2010). ECG Interpretation Made Incredibly Easy (5th Ed.), Philadelphia, PA:
Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. ISBN: 9781608312894
Purpose:
The purpose of the course is to assure that accurate interpretation of cardiac rhythms
will be made, that life-threatening situations will be recognized, and that appropriate
interventions will be initiated according to approved American Heart Association
standards and hospital protocols.
Course Description:
This is a sixteen-hour introductory course in the interpretation of cardiac arrhythmias
designed for health care professionals.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Describe normal cardiac function. (Measured by completion of chapter one review
and participation in class discussion.)
2. Determine the following information from an ECG strip: rate, presence or absence
of P waves, PR interval, QRS interval, presence or absence of dysrhythmia, origin
of dysrhythmia. (Measured by completion of rhythm review strips at end of
chapters two and three and participation in class discussion.)
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Course Objectives: (continued)
3. Define the different types of dysrhythmias including cause and characteristic ECG
forms, and management. (Measured by completion of rhythm review strips at end
of chapters, correct identification of rhythm flashcards and participation in class
discussion.)
4. Define the different types of heart blocks including cause, characteristic ECG wave
forms, and management. (Measured by completion of rhythm review strips at end
of chapter five and participation in class discussion.)
5. Define the different types of pacemakers and characteristic EGC wave forms.
(Measured by completion of rhythm review strips at end of chapter seven and
participation in class discussion.)
6. Describe the mechanism of action, therapeutic effects, and adverse effects of
various antidysrhythmic drugs. (Measured by participation in group activity and
class discussion.)
Grading:
The course grade is determined as follows:
Unit Tests –
75%
Final Exam –
25%
Grading Scale:
90-100 %
A
85-89 %
B
75-84 %
C
70-74 %
D
69 & below F
Course Requirements:
The student is expected to take exams on the scheduled test dates. Make-up exams will
be given only if advance notice of absence is approved and make-up test is taken within
one (1) week of the original test date. Failure to take make-up exam within one (1) week
will result in a grade of “F” on exam. Students are allowed to take only one (1) make-up
test per course. All assignments must be completed and turned in on time in order to
receive any credit. All assignments not turned in on time will result in a grade of “F” on
assignment.
Attendance:
Students are expected to attend all class meetings. After a student has missed three
scheduled class meetings, the instructor has the prerogative to drop the student with a
grade of “W”. Excessive absences prevent the student’s successful completion of the
course.
 No cell phones – turn them off.
 No text messaging.
 No food/drink in classroom.
 May use simple calculators.
Major Content:
Sinus and atrial dysrhythmias, junctional dysrhythmias, & ventricular dysrhythmias.
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Major Teaching-Learning Activities:
Teacher: Lecture
Discussion
Audiovisual presentations
Learner: Discussion
Small group activities
Computer assisted instruction
Independent study guides
Accommodations for Students with Special Needs:
The disabilities contact in Student Services is Kim Brecklein. “North Arkansas College
complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities who need special accommodations
should make their requests in the following way: (1) talk to the instructor after class or
during office hours about their disability or special need related to the classroom work;
and/or (2) contact Student Support Services in Room M184 or call 870-391-3338 and ask
to speak to Kim Brecklein.”
Northark Resources for Students:
Northark’s Jenzabar Portal is like a “digital commons”, or a student
and staff center on the web. This portal connects students to
instructors, counselors, and staff with a single point of access. You will be able to find
your classes, connect to BlackBoard, and find groups that you are involved in, like
Honors, PBL, Rodeo or other clubs. With one login and password, you have 24/7 access
to your campus e-mail, calendars, chat rooms or on-line exams. Without any other login,
you can see your Campus Connect services. You can customize your home page as
well!
SMARTHINKING is a web-based tutoring system that connects
students to qualified e-instructors (on-line tutors) anytime, from any
internet connection. This service supplements on-campus courses,
distance-education courses and the Northark Learning Assistance Center. This service is
FREE to currently enrolled students. Find the link to SMARTHINKING on the Northark
Web page, student tab. When you click on this link, instructions for starting your own
account are provided. This is a service purchased by the Title III grant.
Atomic Learning provides web-based software training for
more than 100 applications students and educators use
every day. The web-site has short, easy-to-understand tutorial movies and
resources that can be used like a help-desk for computer questions. This is a FREE
service to students and staff (it even answers questions about i-Pods!). Go to
http://highed.atomiclearning.com. Northark students should type in:
Username: northark Login: pioneers
Learn about your personal preference for taking in new
information, and how you can study differently to get the
most out of your education. Students who take this
assessment find out how they prefer to learn, how teachers may prefer to teach, and how
to meet in the middle! Students can maximize their time and success in school by
following some time-tested strategies for “Studying Without Tears (SWOT)”.
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COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1
Introduction
Chapter 1-Cardiac Anatomy & Physiology
Chapter 2-ECG Basics
Week 2
Chapter 2-ECG Analysis
Chapter 3-Normal Sinus Rhythm
Assignment: Rhythm Strip Review pp. 49-52
Week 3
Chapter 3-Sinus Arrhythmias
Week 4
Chapter 3-Atrial Arrhythmias
Assignment: Rhythm Strip Review pp. 78-83
Week 5
Test #1- Chapter 1, 2, & 3.
Week 6
Chapter 4-Junctional Arrhythmias
Assignment: Rhythm Strip Review pp. 101-103
Week 7
Chapter 6-Ventricular Arrhythmias
Week 8
Chapter 6-Ventricular Arrhythmias
Assignment: Rhythm Strip Review pp. 148-153
Week 9
Test #2- Chapters 4 & 6.
Week 10
Chapter 5-Blocks
Assignment: Rhythm Strip Review pp. 122-126
Week 11
Spring Break – No classes!
Week 12
Chapter 5-Blocks
Chapter 7-Pacemakers
Assignment: Rhythm Strip Review pp. 176-180
Week 13
Test # 3- Chapters 5 & 7
Take-Home Test # 4
Week 14
Chapter 9- Medications for Dysrhythmias
Week 15
Nurse Educator Conference
Week 16
Chapter 8- Dysrhythmia Review
Week 17
Final Exam
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