A nurse is assessing an ECG rhythm strip. The P waves and QRS complexes are regular. The PR interval is 0.16 second. The overall heart rate is 60 beats/min. The nurse assesses the cardiac rhythm as:

Sick sinus syndrome

Normal sinus rhythm

Sinus bradycardia

First degree heart block

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Sick sinus syndrome – This involves an abnormal SA node function, often with varying rhythm disturbances (e.g., sinus pauses, bradycardia-tachycardia). The strip described is regular and does not reflect these changes.
B. Normal sinus rhythm – The rhythm is regular, the PR interval is within normal limits (0.12–0.20 seconds), the heart rate is 60 beats/min (within the normal range of 60–100), and P waves precede each QRS complex consistently.
C. Sinus bradycardia – Although the rate is 60, which is at the low end of normal, it is not below 60. Bradycardia is defined as <60 bpm.
D. First-degree heart block – First-degree AV block is characterized by a prolonged PR interval >0.20 seconds. The PR interval here is 0.16 seconds, which is normal.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Ventricular tachycardia is characterized by a ventricular rate >100 bpm, regular rhythm, no visible P waves, and wide QRS complexes (>0.12 seconds). The findings described—ventricular rate of 162, regular R-R intervals, no visible P waves, and a QRS duration of 0.18 seconds—are consistent with ventricular tachycardia.
B. Ventricular fibrillation shows a chaotic, irregular rhythm with no identifiable QRS complexes, which is not the case here.
C. Sinus tachycardia would have visible P waves and a normal QRS duration.
D. Atrial flutter typically has "sawtooth" flutter waves and a more organized atrial rhythm with a distinct P wave pattern, which is absent in this scenario.

A. Anaphylactic shock B. Neurogenic shock C. Septic shock D. Cardiogenic shock

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Anaphylactic shock is a life-threatening allergic reaction, but it is less common and less frequently the cause of ICU deaths compared to septic shock.
B. Neurogenic shock results from spinal cord injuries or central nervous system damage and is relatively rare.
C. Septic shock is the most common cause of death in intensive care units in the United States. It results from overwhelming infection and leads to systemic inflammation, vasodilation, and multi-organ dysfunction.
D. Cardiogenic shock occurs due to the heart’s inability to pump effectively, often after a major myocardial infarction, but it is not the leading cause of death in ICUs.

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A nurse is assessing an ECG rhythm strip. The P waves and QRS complexes are regular. The PR interval is 0.16 second. The overall heart rate is 60 beats/min. The nurse assesses the cardiac rhythm as:

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Nurses in intensive care units commonly care for clients in varying stages of various types of shock. Which of the following is the most common cause of death in intensive care units in the United States?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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