Nokea
The nurse is analyzing a rhythm strip. What component of the ECG corresponds to the resting state of the patients heart?
- A. P wave
- B. T wave
- C. U wave
- D. QRS complex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The T wave specifically represents ventricular muscle depolarization, also referred to as the resting state. Ventricular muscle depolarization does not result in the P wave, U wave, or QRS complex.
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A group of nurses are participating in orientation to a telemetry unit. What should the staff educator tell this class about ST segments?
- A. They are the part of an ECG that reflects systole.
- B. They are the part of an ECG used to calculate ventricular rate and rhythm.
- C. They are the part of an ECG that reflects the time from ventricular depolarization through repolarization.
- D. They are the part of an ECG that represents early ventricular repolarization.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: ST segment is the part of an ECG that reflects the end of the QRS complex to the beginning of the T wave. The part of an ECG that reflects repolarization of the ventricles is the T wave. The part of an ECG used to calculate ventricular rate and rhythm is the RR interval. The part of an ECG that reflects the time from ventricular depolarization through repolarization is the QT interval.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has had a dysrhythmic event. The nurse is aware of the need to assess for signs of diminished cardiac output (CO). What change in status may signal to the nurse a decrease in cardiac output?
- A. Increased blood pressure
- B. Bounding peripheral pulses
- C. Changes in level of consciousness
- D. Skin flushing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse conducts a physical assessment to confirm the data obtained from the history and to observe for signs of diminished cardiac output (CO) during the dysrhythmic event, especially changes in level of consciousness. Blood pressure tends to decrease with lowered CO and bounding peripheral pulses are inconsistent with this problem. Pallor, not skin flushing, is expected.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has had a biventricular pacemaker implanted. When planning the patients care, the nurse should recognize what goal of this intervention?
- A. Resynchronization
- B. Defibrillation
- C. Angioplasty
- D. Ablation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Biventricular (both ventricles) pacing, also called resynchronization therapy, may be used to treat advanced heart failure that does not respond to medication. This type of pacing therapy is not called defibrillation, angioplasty, or ablation therapy.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone catheter ablation therapy. The nurse in the stepdown unit should prioritize what assessment?
- A. Cardiac monitoring
- B. Monitoring the implanted device signal
- C. Pain assessment
- D. Monitoring the patients level of consciousness (LOC)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Following catheter ablation therapy, the patient is closely monitored to ensure the dysrhythmia does not reemerge. This is a priority over monitoring of LOC and pain, although these are valid and important assessments. Ablation does not involve the implantation of a device.
The nursing educator is presenting a case study of an adult patient who has abnormal ventricular depolarization. This pathologic change would be most evident in what component of the ECG?
- A. P wave
- B. T wave
- C. QRS complex
- D. U wave
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The QRS complex represents the depolarization of the ventricles and, as such, the electrical activity of that ventricle.