Please identify the following rhythm:
Ventricular Fibrillation
Atrial Flutter
Ventricular Tachycardia
Asystole
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) is a chaotic, disorganized rhythm that arises from the ventricles of the heart. It is characterized by the absence of distinct QRS complexes, P waves, and T waves on the ECG. Instead, the ECG shows a rapid, irregular pattern of waveforms that vary in amplitude and frequency. This indicates that the electrical activity in the ventricles is completely disorganized, preventing effective contraction of the heart muscle and leading to a lack of cardiac output. VF is a lifethreatening emergency that requires immediate defibrillation to restore a normal heart rhythm.
Key features of VF on ECG:
Absence of distinct QRS complexes
Absence of P waves
Absence of T waves
Rapid, irregular pattern of waveforms Varying amplitude and frequency of waveforms Pathophysiology of VF:
VF occurs when multiple ectopic foci in the ventricles fire rapidly and asynchronously, leading to disorganized electrical activity. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Myocardial ischemia (reduced blood flow to the heart muscle)
Electrolyte imbalances (such as low potassium or magnesium)
Electrical shock
Certain medications
Drug overdoses
Clinical manifestations of VF:
Loss of consciousness
Absence of pulse
Apnea (absence of breathing)
Cardiac arrest
Treatment of VF:
Immediate defibrillation
CPR
Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) medications Choice B rationale:
Atrial Flutter is a rapid, regular atrial rhythm that is characterized by a sawtooth pattern on the ECG. It is caused by a reentrant circuit in the atria, which leads to a rapid firing of atrial impulses. Atrial flutter can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from VF on ECG, but it is important to differentiate between the two rhythms because the treatment is different.
Choice C rationale:
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) is a rapid, regular ventricular rhythm that is characterized by wide QRS complexes on the ECG. It is caused by an abnormal focus of electrical activity in the ventricles. VT can be life-threatening, but it is not as immediately life-threatening as VF.
Choice D rationale:
Asystole is the absence of any electrical activity in the heart. It is a form of cardiac arrest and is characterized by a flat line on the ECG. Asystole is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate CPR and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) measures.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
While bananas do contain fiber, which is beneficial for digestive health and can help regulate blood sugar levels, it is not the most relevant information for a patient with electrolyte imbalance induced ventricular tachycardia. The primary focus should be on addressing the electrolyte imbalance, specifically potassium levels.
Choice B rationale:
Bananas do contain manganese, an essential mineral that plays a role in bone health, metabolism, and wound healing. However, manganese is not directly involved in regulating electrolytes or heart rhythm. Therefore, it's not the most pertinent information for this patient's condition.
Choice C rationale:
While it's true that bananas are relatively low in sodium, this information is not as crucial for a patient with electrolyte imbalance induced ventricular tachycardia. Potassium, not sodium, is the electrolyte that's most likely to be deficient in this condition and needs to be addressed.
Choice D rationale:
Bananas are an excellent source of potassium, a crucial electrolyte that plays a vital role in regulating heart rhythm, muscle contractions, and nerve function. Potassium deficiency, or hypokalemia, can lead to various cardiac arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia. Therefore, increasing potassium intake through dietary sources like bananas can be an effective strategy to help manage electrolyte imbalance and potentially reduce the risk of arrhythmias.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Rationale:
Repolarization is a phase in the cardiac cycle that involves the restoration of electrical charges in heart muscle cells, enabling them to prepare for the next contraction. It does not directly refer to the physical contraction and ejection of blood from the chambers.
During repolarization, the heart muscle cells regain their negative electrical charge after depolarization, which triggered the contraction.
Repolarization is essential for maintaining the heart's rhythmic electrical activity and ensuring coordinated contractions.
It does not, however, cause the chambers to become smaller and eject blood, which is the defining feature of systole.
Choice C Rationale:
Diastole is the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart chambers relax and fill with blood. It is the opposite of systole.
During diastole, the heart muscle relaxes, allowing the chambers to passively expand and collect blood from the veins.
The atrioventricular valves (mitral and tricuspid valves) open during diastole, allowing blood to flow from the atria into the ventricles.
While diastole is crucial for ensuring adequate blood supply to the heart, it does not involve the forceful ejection of blood into circulation that characterizes systole.
Choice D Rationale:
Ejection fraction is a measurement of the heart's pumping efficiency. It represents the percentage of blood that is ejected from the left ventricle with each contraction.
A normal ejection fraction is typically between 55% and 70%.
While ejection fraction is related to systole, it is not a synonym for it. Ejection fraction is a quantitative measure of how well the heart is pumping, while systole refers to the specific phase of the cardiac cycle when contraction and ejection occur.
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