RELIAS DYSRHYTHMIA BASIC TEST EXAM
Questions And 100% Correct Answers with a A+
Latest and Complete Update 2025
explain the heart's electrical system - ANSWER: Each electrical signal (impulse)
begins in a group of cells called the sinus node or sinoatrial (SA) node. The SA
node is located in the right atrium. In a healthy adult heart at rest, the SA node
sends an electrical signal to begin a new heartbeat 60 to 100 times a minute. (This
rate may be slower in very fit athletes.)
From the SA node, the electrical signal travels through the right and left atria. It
causes the atria to contract and pump blood into the ventricles.
The electrical signal then moves down to a group of cells called the atrioventricular
(AV) node, located between the atria and the ventricles. Here, the signal slows
down slightly, allowing the ventricles time to finish filling with blood.
The electrical signal then leaves the AV node and travels to the ventricles. It causes
the ventricles to contract and pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. The
ventricles then relax, and the heartbeat process starts all over again in the SA node.
normal sinus rhythm (characteristics) - ANSWER: 1. Rate:60-100 beats/min
Rhythm: regular
2. P wave: upright .06-.12 sec
3. PR interval: .12-.20 sec
4. QRS complex: <.03 sec
,Sinus Bradycardia - ANSWER: in sinus bradycardia, the conduction pathway is
the same but the impulse generates in the SA node slower than usual causing a
slowed heart rate >60
-symptomatic sinus bradycardia refers to a HR >60 and is inadequate for the
patients condition causing symptoms
sinus bradycardia (ECG characteristics) - ANSWER: 1. Rate: < 60 beats/min
Rhythm: regular
2. P wave: Normal
3. PR interval: Normal
4. QRS complex: Normal
dysrhyth mia aka arrhythmia - ANSWER: - abnormal cardiac rhythms which can
cause disturbances of:
rate, rhythm, or both rate and rhythm
how are dysrhythmias identified? - ANSWER: Electrographic Waveform
Analysis (ECG)
what controls the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat? - ANSWER: the heart's
electrical system
sinus bradycardia clinical associations - ANSWER: 1. may be a normal in
ATHLETES and during SLEEP
2. occurs in response to:
,carotid sinus massage Valsalva maneuver hypothermia
increased intraocular pressure vagal stimulation
and certain drugs ( Bblockers, Ca channel blockers)
3. disease states associated with it: hypothyroidism
increased intracranial pressure hypoglycemia
inferior MI
Sinus Bradycardia: Clinical Significance - ANSWER: clinical significance of
sinus bradycardia depends on how the pt tolerates it.
S&S of symptomatic sinus bradycardia include:
pale, cool skin hypotension weakness
angina dizziness/syncope confusion/disorientation
shortness of breath
treatment for symptomatic sinus bradycardia - ANSWER: atropine
(anticholinergic) transcutaneous pacing
dopamine/epinephrine infusion
permanent pacemaker
, if due to drugs, drugs may be held
transcutaneous pacing - ANSWER: aka external pacing. Temporary means of
pacing a patient's heart during a medical emergency, accomplished by delivering
pulses of electric current through the patient's chest, which stimulates the heart to
contract. The most common indication for transcutaneous pacing is an abnormally
slow heart rate.
-pads are placed on the patient's chest. anterior/posterior position is preferred.
"Sandwiching" the heart between the two pads minimizes transthoracic electrical
impedance
Sinus Tachycardia - ANSWER: rate is faster than usual but rhythm is normal.
impulse is generated quicker than normal in SA node
sinus tachycardia (characteristics) - ANSWER: 1. Rate:101-200 beats/min
Rhythm: regular
2. P wave: Normal
3. PR interval: Normal
4. QRS complex: Normal
Questions And 100% Correct Answers with a A+
Latest and Complete Update 2025
explain the heart's electrical system - ANSWER: Each electrical signal (impulse)
begins in a group of cells called the sinus node or sinoatrial (SA) node. The SA
node is located in the right atrium. In a healthy adult heart at rest, the SA node
sends an electrical signal to begin a new heartbeat 60 to 100 times a minute. (This
rate may be slower in very fit athletes.)
From the SA node, the electrical signal travels through the right and left atria. It
causes the atria to contract and pump blood into the ventricles.
The electrical signal then moves down to a group of cells called the atrioventricular
(AV) node, located between the atria and the ventricles. Here, the signal slows
down slightly, allowing the ventricles time to finish filling with blood.
The electrical signal then leaves the AV node and travels to the ventricles. It causes
the ventricles to contract and pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. The
ventricles then relax, and the heartbeat process starts all over again in the SA node.
normal sinus rhythm (characteristics) - ANSWER: 1. Rate:60-100 beats/min
Rhythm: regular
2. P wave: upright .06-.12 sec
3. PR interval: .12-.20 sec
4. QRS complex: <.03 sec
,Sinus Bradycardia - ANSWER: in sinus bradycardia, the conduction pathway is
the same but the impulse generates in the SA node slower than usual causing a
slowed heart rate >60
-symptomatic sinus bradycardia refers to a HR >60 and is inadequate for the
patients condition causing symptoms
sinus bradycardia (ECG characteristics) - ANSWER: 1. Rate: < 60 beats/min
Rhythm: regular
2. P wave: Normal
3. PR interval: Normal
4. QRS complex: Normal
dysrhyth mia aka arrhythmia - ANSWER: - abnormal cardiac rhythms which can
cause disturbances of:
rate, rhythm, or both rate and rhythm
how are dysrhythmias identified? - ANSWER: Electrographic Waveform
Analysis (ECG)
what controls the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat? - ANSWER: the heart's
electrical system
sinus bradycardia clinical associations - ANSWER: 1. may be a normal in
ATHLETES and during SLEEP
2. occurs in response to:
,carotid sinus massage Valsalva maneuver hypothermia
increased intraocular pressure vagal stimulation
and certain drugs ( Bblockers, Ca channel blockers)
3. disease states associated with it: hypothyroidism
increased intracranial pressure hypoglycemia
inferior MI
Sinus Bradycardia: Clinical Significance - ANSWER: clinical significance of
sinus bradycardia depends on how the pt tolerates it.
S&S of symptomatic sinus bradycardia include:
pale, cool skin hypotension weakness
angina dizziness/syncope confusion/disorientation
shortness of breath
treatment for symptomatic sinus bradycardia - ANSWER: atropine
(anticholinergic) transcutaneous pacing
dopamine/epinephrine infusion
permanent pacemaker
, if due to drugs, drugs may be held
transcutaneous pacing - ANSWER: aka external pacing. Temporary means of
pacing a patient's heart during a medical emergency, accomplished by delivering
pulses of electric current through the patient's chest, which stimulates the heart to
contract. The most common indication for transcutaneous pacing is an abnormally
slow heart rate.
-pads are placed on the patient's chest. anterior/posterior position is preferred.
"Sandwiching" the heart between the two pads minimizes transthoracic electrical
impedance
Sinus Tachycardia - ANSWER: rate is faster than usual but rhythm is normal.
impulse is generated quicker than normal in SA node
sinus tachycardia (characteristics) - ANSWER: 1. Rate:101-200 beats/min
Rhythm: regular
2. P wave: Normal
3. PR interval: Normal
4. QRS complex: Normal
