A nurse is describing the process by which blood is ejected into circulation as the chambers of the heart become smaller.
How does the nurse categorize this action of the heart?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by the absence of P waves on the ECG, the presence of fibrillatory waves, and an irregularly irregular rhythm. This is due to chaotic electrical activity in the atria, which results in disorganized atrial contractions. The fibrillatory waves, which are often described as "f" waves or "sawtooth" waves, represent the rapid and irregular electrical activity in the atria. They are typically best seen in lead II, V1, or V2 of the ECG.

Here is a more detailed explanation of the key features of AF that support this answer:

Absence of P waves: In normal sinus rhythm, the P wave represents the electrical impulse that originates in the sinoatrial (SA) node and depolarizes the atria. In AF, the SA node is no longer in control of the atrial rhythm, and there is no organized atrial depolarization. As a result, P waves are absent on the ECG.

Presence of fibrillatory waves: The fibrillatory waves seen in AF represent the disorganized electrical activity in the atria. They are typically irregular in amplitude and frequency, and they can vary in appearance from patient to patient.

Irregularly irregular rhythm: The ventricular rhythm in AF is also irregular because the impulses from the atria are not conducted to the ventricles in a regular pattern. This results in an irregularly irregular rhythm, which is a hallmark feature of AF.

Key points to remember:

AF is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia.

It can be asymptomatic or cause a variety of symptoms, including palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and lightheadedness.

AF is a risk factor for stroke and heart failure.

Treatment for AF may include medications to control heart rate or rhythm, blood thinners to reduce the risk of stroke, and in some cases, procedures to restore normal heart rhythm.

Choice A rationale:

Gently abrading the skin with dry gauze or cloth is not recommended prior to ECG electrode placement.

Research has shown that this practice can actually increase skin impedance and lead to poor signal quality.

It can also cause discomfort and skin irritation, particularly in patients with sensitive skin.

In some cases, it may even damage the skin, leading to infection.

Therefore, it is best to avoid abrading the skin before ECG electrode placement.

Choice B rationale:

Ensuring that the skin is dry is essential for optimal ECG signal quality.

Moisture on the skin can interfere with the electrical connection between the electrodes and the skin, leading to artifacts in the ECG tracing.

These artifacts can make it difficult to interpret the ECG and may even lead to misdiagnosis.

Therefore, it is important to dry the skin thoroughly before applying the electrodes. This can be done using a soft towel or cloth.

Choice C rationale:

Tincture of benzoin is a sticky substance that is sometimes used to improve the adhesion of electrodes to the skin.

However, it is not necessary for ECG electrode placement and can actually irritate the skin.

It is also important to note that tincture of benzoin is flammable and should not be used near open flames or electrical equipment.

Therefore, it is generally not recommended for use with ECG electrode placement.

Choice D rationale:

Povidone-iodine solution is an antiseptic that is used to cleanse the skin and reduce the risk of infection.

However, it is not necessary for ECG electrode placement and can actually interfere with the electrical connection between the electrodes and the skin.

Therefore, it is generally not recommended for use with ECG electrode placement.