pvc's

Question 1

Pairs (couplets)

Answer 1

2 sequential PVC’s

Question 2

“RUNS” OF VTACH

Answer 2

3 or more PVC occurring in immediate succession

Question 3

Bigeminal PVC (ventricular bigeminy):

Answer 3

EVERY OTHER BEAT IS A PVC

Question 4

Trigeminal PVC (ventricular trigeminy):

Answer 4

EVERY OTHER 3RD BEAT IS A PVC

Question 5

Quadrigeminal PVC (ventricular quadrigeminy):

Answer 5

EVERY FOURTH BEAT IS A PVC

Question 6

UNIFOCAL PVC

Answer 6

Premature ventricular beats that look the same in same lead & originate from same anatomical site (focus)

Question 7

MULTIFOCAL PVC

Answer 7

PVCs that appear different from one another in the same lead

Question 8

R-ON-T PVC

Answer 8

R wave of a PVC falls on the T wave (during relative refractory). May precipitate VT or VF

Question 9

P WAVE/PRI ON PVCs

Answer 9

NO P WAVES
NO PRI=NA

Question 10

QRS ON PVCs

Answer 10

.12 seconds or more; wide and “bizarre”
T wave frequently in opposite directions of QRS

Question 11

RATE OF PVCs

Answer 11

6 second method (to determine # of PVCs per minute)
Atrial and ventricular rates are determined by the underlying rhythm

Question 12

RHYTHM of PVCs

Answer 12

Upright P waves (if present), are regular
Ventricular rhythm is irregular because of PVCs

Question 13

Nursing interventions for PVCs (4)

Causes (6)

Answer 13

Palpate pulses
Chronic or new onset?
Assess for cause
Look for trend

CAUSES:

hypokalemia,
hypomagnesemia, hypoxia,
medications
(sympathomimetics)[epinephrine], caffeine,
ETOH