Dysrhythmias

Question 1

What is supraventricular tachycardia? SVT

Answer 1

Rapid stimulation of atrial tissue occurs at rate 100-280 bpm

Question 2

What is atrial fibrillation? Afib

Answer 2

Most common dysrhythmia
Atrial fibrosis and loss of muscle mass
Common with HTN, HF, CAD
Cardiac output decrease 20-30%

Question 3

Answer 3

Afib

Question 4

Answer 4

Vfib

Question 5

Answer 5

Sinus tachycardia

Question 6

Answer 6

Normal sinus rhythm

Question 7

Answer 7

Ventricular Asystole
Must perform CPR

Question 8

Answer 8

Sinus Brady

Question 9

Answer 9

Vtach

Question 10

What do you need to assess for afib?

Answer 10

Fatigue, weakness, SOB, dizziness
Assess for anxiety, syncope, palpitation, chest pain, HTN
High risk for PE, VTE, stroke

Question 11

Tx for afib
what drugs are used?

Answer 11

Cardio version
Percutaneous radio frequency catheter ablation
Bi-ventricular pacing
Surgical maze procedure

Drugs:
Metoprolol
Digoxin
Amiodarone
Diltiazem

Question 12

Which dysrhythmia is more life threatening?

A. Ventricular
B. Atrial

Answer 12

Ventricular

Question 13

What are common ventricular dysrhythmias?

Answer 13

Premature ventricular complexes
Vtach
Vfib
Ventricular asystole

Question 14

Answer 14

Premature ventricular complexes

Question 15

Tx for ventricular tachycardia:
Stable vs unstable

Answer 15

Stable:
— oxygen
— cardio version
— radio frequency cath ablation
— implantable cardioverter debrillation
**Drugs used:
— AMIODARONE
— LIDOCAINE
— MAG SULFATE

Unstable:
— can cause cardiac arrest
— treated the same way as Vfib
— ASSESS AIRWAY BREATHING CIRCULATION
— assess LOC
— asses O2 level

Question 16

Tx of Vfib (ventricular fibrillation):

Answer 16

LIFE THREATENING
— no cardiac output or pulse
— blood is no longer being pumped out of heart and BRAIN IS NOT RECEIVING BLOOD
— CM of CAD
— patients with MI are high risk

Question 17

What is the first priority regarding treatment of ventricular fibrillation?

Answer 17

Defibrillate the patient immediately
— CPR
— airway management

Question 18

Treatment for ventricular asystole:

Answer 18

FULL CARDIAC ARREST no cardiac output or perfusion to rest of body
— manage airway
— CPR
** DO NOT DEFIBRILLATE
Why?:
There is no electrical activity — defibrillation will not do anything for the patient

Question 19

What is one of the most important things to teach HF patients?

Answer 19

Avoid caffeine — unnecessary elevation of HR