ECGs Flashcards
What is a sinus mechanism?
an impulse that begins in the SA node
What can a sinus mechanism be affected by?
- medications
- diseases or conditions that cause irregular HR, delay/block impulses, prevent generation of impulses
What are the D and H causes of sinus bradycardia?
- diseases of SA node
- hypoxia
- hypothermia
- hypo/hyperkalemia
- hypothyroidism
What are the I, M, O, P and V causes of sinus bradycardia?
- inferior/posterior MI
- increased intracranial pressure
- medications
- OSA
- post heart transplant
- vagul stimulation
What medications cause sinus bradycardia?
- amiodarone
- calcium channel blockers
- digitalis
- sotalol
What are some examples of vagul stimulation that cause sinus bradycardia?
- carotid sinus pressure
- coughing
- straining to have bowel movement
- sudden exposure of face to cold water
- vomiting
What are the A and C causes of sinus tachycardia?
- acute MI
- caffeine
- cocaine
- CHF
What are the D, E and F causes of sinus tachycardia?
- dehydration
- exercise
- fever
- fear/anxiety
What are the H, I, M. and N causes of sinus tachycardia?
- hypovolemia
- hypoxia
- infection
- medications
- nicotine
What are the P and S causes of sinus tachycardia?
- pain
- pulmonary emboli
- shock
- sympathetic stimulation
What medications cause sinus tachycardia?
- atropine
- dopamine
- dobutamine
- epinephrine
What is a respiratory sinus arrhythmia?
an irregular rhythm associated with the phases of respiration and changes in intrathoracic pressure
How do you treat arrhythmias?
no treatment unless hemodynamic compromise (use IV atropine for this)
What are the C signs for hemodynamic compromise?
- changes in mental status
- chest pain
- CHF
- cold, clammy skin
What are the D, L, S and P signs for hemodynamic compromise?
- decrease in urine output
- low BP
- signs of shock
- SOB
- pulmonary congestion
