NURS-302 Medical Surgical- Exam 2 | Actual
Questions and correct Detailed Answers complete
Solutions | A+ Graded | 2026 Updates | 100% correct
What does sub-sternal chest pain typically represent? - ANSWER- Is a clinical manifestation of
reduced O2 supply to the myocardium.
Describe the anatomical flow of blood through the heart - ANSWER- Blood flows from the
Vena Cava to the Right Atrium, through the tricuspid, into the Right Ventricle, through the
pulmonic valve, into the pulmonary arteries, into the lungs, into the pulmonary veins, into the
Left Atria, through the mitral valve, into the Left Ventricle, through the aortic valve, into the
aorta and out to the rest of the body.
What is the Frank-Starling Law? - ANSWER- The greater the stretch on the myocardial fibers,
the greater the force with which they will contract. (ex. stretching a rubber band).
What is the equation for Cardiac output? - ANSWER- heart rate x stroke volume= CO
How do you calculate stroke volume? - ANSWER- end diastolic volume - end systolic volume
What route do electrical impulses take through the heart? - ANSWER- SA node>bachmans
bundle>AV node>bundle of his>bundle branches (L&R)>purkinje fibers>lateral portions of
ventricles
What is a dysrhythmia? - ANSWER- Abnormal heart rhythm resulting from a disruption of
electrical impulses across the heart.
In what order do the electrical impulses of the heart occur? - ANSWER- P-Q-R-S-T
Does the P-R interval include the P-R segment or does the segment include the interval? -
ANSWER- The interval includes the segment.
What does the P-R interval represent? - ANSWER- Atrial depolarization
What is important to know about the ST segment? - ANSWER- the ST segment is an absolute
refractory period, during which ventricles WILL NOT contract
What is the standard length (x) of an ECG strip? - ANSWER- 6 seconds
what size (time) are the boxes on an ECG strip? - ANSWER- A small box= 0.04 seconds,
,a big box= 0.20 seconds
(smalls are 0.5 mv tall but we dgaf)
What are the three ways to estimate HR from an ECG? - ANSWER- 1500 method: 1500/#S.
boxes between R waves
300 method:
300/# L. boxes between R waves
Lazy Method:
QRS complexesx10
What are the characteristics of Normal Sinus Rhythm? - ANSWER- HR: 60-100
P precedes QRS
PR interval: .12-0.2
QRS: 0.06-0.1
P and QRS evenly spaced "marched out"
What are the characteristics of Sinus Bradycardia? - ANSWER- HR: <60
Waves same as NSR
May not be pathologic
S/O Hypotension, ↓CO, ↓ Perfusion, ∆ LOC.
What are the Characteristics of Atrial Fibrillation (AF or Afib)? - ANSWER- Rhythm irregular,
no P, no PR interval, may have erratic waves.
Very fast, >350BPM, ventricular rate not correlated. QRS normal or wide. Loss of "atrial kick"
(decreased V. filling)
What are the two ways the ventricles may respond during Atrial Fibrillation? - ANSWER-
Ventricles may have controlled ventricular response (60-100BPM) or Rapid Ventricular
Response (>100BPM)
How is Afib treated? - ANSWER- Assess for Hypotension, ↓perfusion, anticoagulant use. May
be converted chemically or electrically after anticoagulation established,
What are the characteristics of Sinus Tachycardia (ST)? - ANSWER- HR: >100
, P & T may merge
PR interval&QRS=NSR
QT interval narrows
May not be pathologic
May be compensatory for ↓CO, hypotension from blood loss or sepsis.
Describe the characteristics of Atrial Flutter (A-flutter)? - ANSWER- Rhythm appears more
"regular"
Atrial rate: 250-350
Ventricles are slow
P normal, PR interval not observable
"Saw Tooth"
QRS normal
What does Atrial Flutter represent(caused by)? - ANSWER- An abnormal electrical conduction
in the atria
What can A-flutter cause? - ANSWER- Cardiomyopathy & HF
What are the symptoms of A-flutter? - ANSWER- May be Asymptomatic.
↓excercise tolerance
^palpitations
^lightheadedness
^fatigue
^SOB/DOE
How do you treat Atrial Flutter? - ANSWER- goal is to control HR.
-Ca channel blockers
-ß-blockers
-Cardioversion to NSR
-Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation
Questions and correct Detailed Answers complete
Solutions | A+ Graded | 2026 Updates | 100% correct
What does sub-sternal chest pain typically represent? - ANSWER- Is a clinical manifestation of
reduced O2 supply to the myocardium.
Describe the anatomical flow of blood through the heart - ANSWER- Blood flows from the
Vena Cava to the Right Atrium, through the tricuspid, into the Right Ventricle, through the
pulmonic valve, into the pulmonary arteries, into the lungs, into the pulmonary veins, into the
Left Atria, through the mitral valve, into the Left Ventricle, through the aortic valve, into the
aorta and out to the rest of the body.
What is the Frank-Starling Law? - ANSWER- The greater the stretch on the myocardial fibers,
the greater the force with which they will contract. (ex. stretching a rubber band).
What is the equation for Cardiac output? - ANSWER- heart rate x stroke volume= CO
How do you calculate stroke volume? - ANSWER- end diastolic volume - end systolic volume
What route do electrical impulses take through the heart? - ANSWER- SA node>bachmans
bundle>AV node>bundle of his>bundle branches (L&R)>purkinje fibers>lateral portions of
ventricles
What is a dysrhythmia? - ANSWER- Abnormal heart rhythm resulting from a disruption of
electrical impulses across the heart.
In what order do the electrical impulses of the heart occur? - ANSWER- P-Q-R-S-T
Does the P-R interval include the P-R segment or does the segment include the interval? -
ANSWER- The interval includes the segment.
What does the P-R interval represent? - ANSWER- Atrial depolarization
What is important to know about the ST segment? - ANSWER- the ST segment is an absolute
refractory period, during which ventricles WILL NOT contract
What is the standard length (x) of an ECG strip? - ANSWER- 6 seconds
what size (time) are the boxes on an ECG strip? - ANSWER- A small box= 0.04 seconds,
,a big box= 0.20 seconds
(smalls are 0.5 mv tall but we dgaf)
What are the three ways to estimate HR from an ECG? - ANSWER- 1500 method: 1500/#S.
boxes between R waves
300 method:
300/# L. boxes between R waves
Lazy Method:
QRS complexesx10
What are the characteristics of Normal Sinus Rhythm? - ANSWER- HR: 60-100
P precedes QRS
PR interval: .12-0.2
QRS: 0.06-0.1
P and QRS evenly spaced "marched out"
What are the characteristics of Sinus Bradycardia? - ANSWER- HR: <60
Waves same as NSR
May not be pathologic
S/O Hypotension, ↓CO, ↓ Perfusion, ∆ LOC.
What are the Characteristics of Atrial Fibrillation (AF or Afib)? - ANSWER- Rhythm irregular,
no P, no PR interval, may have erratic waves.
Very fast, >350BPM, ventricular rate not correlated. QRS normal or wide. Loss of "atrial kick"
(decreased V. filling)
What are the two ways the ventricles may respond during Atrial Fibrillation? - ANSWER-
Ventricles may have controlled ventricular response (60-100BPM) or Rapid Ventricular
Response (>100BPM)
How is Afib treated? - ANSWER- Assess for Hypotension, ↓perfusion, anticoagulant use. May
be converted chemically or electrically after anticoagulation established,
What are the characteristics of Sinus Tachycardia (ST)? - ANSWER- HR: >100
, P & T may merge
PR interval&QRS=NSR
QT interval narrows
May not be pathologic
May be compensatory for ↓CO, hypotension from blood loss or sepsis.
Describe the characteristics of Atrial Flutter (A-flutter)? - ANSWER- Rhythm appears more
"regular"
Atrial rate: 250-350
Ventricles are slow
P normal, PR interval not observable
"Saw Tooth"
QRS normal
What does Atrial Flutter represent(caused by)? - ANSWER- An abnormal electrical conduction
in the atria
What can A-flutter cause? - ANSWER- Cardiomyopathy & HF
What are the symptoms of A-flutter? - ANSWER- May be Asymptomatic.
↓excercise tolerance
^palpitations
^lightheadedness
^fatigue
^SOB/DOE
How do you treat Atrial Flutter? - ANSWER- goal is to control HR.
-Ca channel blockers
-ß-blockers
-Cardioversion to NSR
-Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation
