Which statement is true regarding Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)?
Are caused by the SA node malfunctioning.
Treatment is only if the patient is symptomatic ORS remains narrow on EKG/ECG.
Two or more PVCs is considered Ventricular Tachycardia.
PVCs are harmless and do not require treatment.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Incorrect. PVCs are not caused by a malfunctioning SA node. The SA node is responsible for initiating the normal heartbeat, while PVCs originate from the ventricles. The underlying cause of PVCs can vary, but it's not directly related to SA node dysfunction. Choice C rationale:
Incorrect. Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rapid heart rhythm originating from the ventricles, typically defined as three or more consecutive PVCs. Two PVCs in a row are usually classified as a couplet, not VT.
Choice D rationale:
Incorrect. While PVCs are often harmless, they can sometimes be associated with underlying heart disease or lead to complications, especially if they are frequent or occur in specific patterns. Therefore, careful assessment and potential treatment are necessary.
Choice B rationale:
Correct. Treatment for PVCs is generally only recommended if the patient experiences concerning symptoms or if the PVCs are associated with a risk of developing more serious arrhythmias. Additionally, the QRS complex on the EKG/ECG should be evaluated. A narrow QRS complex during PVCs typically suggests a less concerning origin within the ventricles, while a wide QRS complex may indicate a higher risk of complications.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Bradycardia refers to a slow heart rate, typically defined as less than 60 beats per minute.
While some ICDs can provide pacing for bradycardia, this is not their primary purpose.
Their primary goal is to prevent sudden cardiac death from life-threatening arrhythmias.
Therefore, Choice A is not the best response.
Choice B rationale:
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common heart rhythm disorder characterized by rapid and irregular beating of the atria.
While ICDs can sometimes be used in patients with AFib, this is not their primary indication.
AFib is typically managed with medications to control heart rate and rhythm, or with ablation procedures to disrupt the abnormal electrical pathways.
Therefore, Choice B is not the best response.
Choice C rationale:
Ventricular fibrillation (VF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) are life-threatening arrhythmias that originate in the ventricles of the heart.
VF is characterized by chaotic, disorganized electrical activity in the ventricles, leading to ineffective pumping and cardiac arrest.
VT is a very fast heart rhythm that can degenerate into VF.
ICDs are specifically designed to detect and treat VF and VT.
They do this by delivering electrical shocks to the heart, which can restore a normal rhythm.
Therefore, Choice C is the best response.
Choice D rationale:
While ICDs can deliver shocks during a heart attack, this is not their primary purpose.
Heart attacks are caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle, and they are typically treated with medications, such as aspirin, nitroglycerin, and clot-busting drugs.
ICDs are primarily used to prevent sudden cardiac death from life-threatening arrhythmias, not to treat heart attacks themselves.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is A. Electrocardiogram.
Choice A rationale:
Electrocardiogram (ECG) is the priority diagnostic procedure for a suspected myocardial infarction (MI) due to several compelling reasons:
Rapidity: An ECG can be performed quickly and easily at the bedside, providing immediate results within minutes. This swiftness is crucial in the context of MI, where time is of the essence to initiate appropriate treatment and salvage viable heart tissue.
Sensitivity: The ECG is highly sensitive in detecting the electrical changes that occur during an MI. It can identify characteristic ST-segment elevation or depression, T wave inversions, and other abnormalities that strongly suggest myocardial ischemia or infarction.
Specificity: While not perfectly specific for MI, the ECG can often distinguish it from other conditions that may cause chest pain, such as pericarditis or pulmonary embolism. This diagnostic differentiation is crucial for guiding appropriate management.
Non-invasiveness: The ECG is a non-invasive procedure that does not involve any needles, catheters, or exposure to radiation. This makes it a safe and readily accessible test, even for patients who may be hemodynamically unstable or have other medical conditions.
Cost-effectiveness: The ECG is a relatively inexpensive diagnostic tool compared to other imaging modalities like echocardiography or cardiac angiography. This cost-effectiveness makes it a valuable first-line test in evaluating potential MI, allowing for efficient resource allocation.
Rationales for other choices:
Choice B (Papercut): This is not a relevant diagnostic procedure for MI and is therefore incorrect.
Choice C (Cardiac Angiogram): While cardiac angiography can definitively visualize coronary artery blockages, it is an invasive procedure that carries risks and requires specialized facilities and personnel. It is typically reserved for cases where the diagnosis remains uncertain after non-invasive testing or when intervention is planned.
Choice D (Echocardiogram): Echocardiography can assess heart function and detect structural abnormalities, but it is less sensitive than ECG for the early electrical changes of MI. It may be used as an adjunct test to provide additional information, but it is not the priority procedure in the initial evaluation.
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