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CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, BAKERSFIELD
Department of Nursing
NURSING 440
Basic Dysrhythmia Syllabus
Spring Quarter 2004
FACULTY:
Kathleen Gilchrist, RN, PhD, CCRN, PHN
Office: RNEC 132
Phone: 661-664-3229
Email: kgilchrist@csub.edu
Office hours: Mondays 10:30-12:00 or by appointment
DAY(s)/TIME/LOCATION Mondays 1:00 pm – 3:45 pm
RNEC 105
CREDITS:
3.0 Quarter Units; three 50-minute class hours per week.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will focus on the interpretation of ECG rhythms and dysrhythmias. A systematic
approach to dysrhythmia interpretation will be utilized. This course is for nursing students
interested in working in medical/surgical units, critical care units, emergency departments,
operating rooms, postanesthesia care units, outpatient clinics, and various community settings
where nurses are responsible for interpreting the client’s heart rhythm as a part of their job
requirement.
PREREQUISITES: Nursing 251 or permission of the instructor
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of N440, the student will:
1.
Describe the general physiologic structures of the heart.
2.
Correctly label the structures of the cardiac conduction system.
3.
List the elements that go into analyzing and interpreting the ECG strip.
4.
Identify the criteria for dysrhythmias that are associated with the sinus node, the atria, the
atrioventricular junction, the ventricles, blocks in the atrioventricular node, supraventricular
tachycardia, bundle branch blocks, bypass mechanisms, and pacemakers.
TEACHING METHODS:
Lecture/Discussion
Audio-Visual materials
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REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Walraven, Gail (1999). Basic Arrhythmias, (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Brady
Prentice Hall.
Recommended Textbook:
Cohn, E. G., & Gilroy-Doohan, M. (2002). Flip and see ECG (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: W.
B. Saunders Company.
STUDENT EVALUATION: (This course may be taken CR/NCR)
1.
2.
Grading Scale:
A
=
100-93
A=
92-90
B+
=
89-87
B
=
86-83
B=
82-80
C+
=
79-77
C
CD+
D
DF
Evaluation Methods/Assignments:
 Quizzes (1 per week)
 Final Exam
60%
40%
=
=
=
=
=
=
76-73
72-70
69-67
66-64
63-60
59 & below
The final grade consists of the total points. Seventy-three percent (73%) is the lowest passing
score. There will be no rounding up to 73%.
You may take the course for credit/no credit. To receive credit you must fill out the appropriate
form the first day of the course and receive 73% as your overall course grade. Less than 73% will
result in no credit.
3.
Services for Students with Disabilities:
CSUB provides services for students with disabilities through the Services for Students with
Disabilities Office (661) 664-3360; TDD (661) 664-4263.
4.
Academic Honesty:
All students are expected to read and adhere to the Academic Honesty policy detailed on page 59
of the 2001-2003 CSUB Catalog and the Ethical Standards found in the Undergraduate Nursing
Student Policy Handbook
All work must be original work written for this course by the individual submitting it. See
definition of plagiarism according to University General Catalogue and Department of Nursing
Student Handbook. The penalty for plagiarism is an “F” in the course for first offense and
termination from the University for second offense. If any questions, ask your instructor.
5.
Attendance Policy:
It is expected that students will attend each class.
Additional Information:
Students will not be allowed to make up missed quizzes or the final exam except for very
compelling reasons and with arrangements made with the instructor prior to the scheduled
exam or quiz.
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TOPICAL OUTLINE/READING ASSIGNMENTS
Class
Date
March 29
Topic
Assignment Due
None
April 5
Introduction to N440
1. Electrophysiology
2. Waves and measurement
3. Analyzing ECG rhythm strips
April 12
4. Sinus rhythms
Quiz: Chapters 1-3
April 19
5. Atrial rhythms
Quiz: Chapters 1-4
April 26
6. Junctional rhythms
Quiz: Chapters 1-5
May 3
7. Heart blocks
Quiz: Chapters 1-6
May 10
8. Ventricular rhythms
Quiz: Chapters 1-7
May 17
E. Pacemakers
Quiz: Chapters 1-8
May 24
Final review
Quiz: Chapters 1-8
and pages 523-528
May 31
Memorial Day
June 7
Final exam
1:00 – 3:30 pm
Quiz: Chapters 1-2
Homework
to be done before class
Read Chapters 1-2
Do practice self-test
and practice sheets
Read Chapter 3
Do practice self-test
and practice sheets
Read Chapter 4
Do practice self-test
and practice sheets
Read Chapter 5
Do practice self-test
and practice sheets
Read Chapter 6
Do practice self-test
and practice sheets
Read Chapter 7
Do practice self-test
and practice sheets
Read Chapter 8
Do practice self-test
and practice sheets
Read pages 523-528
and other materials
Start Chapter 9—we
will work on it in class
No Class
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