Cardiac Rhythm Quick Reference Sheet
Rasmussen University 2024 NCLEX
What part of the cardiac conduction system is responsible for ventricular
depolarization? - ANSWER: Purkinje fibers
Reasoning:
Purkinje fibers are responsible for the rapid conduction of electrical
impulses throughout the ventricles, which leads to ventricular
depolarization. The sinoatrial (SA) node causes atrial depolarization. The
transitional cell zone area consists of the atrioventricular (AV) node and
the Bundle of His. This area causes impulses to slow down or to be
delayed before proceeding to the ventricles but does not cause
ventricular depolarization.
The nurse is providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation to a patient who was found in
ventricular tachycardia with no pulse. The ACLS team arrives. What is the nurse's
priority responsibility at this time? - ANSWER: Provide information about the patient
to the ACLS team
Which condition is a result of a hypereffective heart in a well-conditioned athlete? -
ANSWER: Bradycardia
What is the greatest priority once a crash cart has been brought to a room when
responding to a patient in ventricular fibrillation? - ANSWER: Perform defibrillation.
Reasoning:
In cases of ventricular fibrillation, the earlier that defibrillation (asynchronous
countershock) is performed, the greater the chance of survival. Defibrillation
depolarizes a critical mass of myocardium simultaneously with the goal of restoring
spontaneous circulation. Cardiac compressions, rescue breathing, and the
administration of epinephrine follow defibrillation.
Test-Taking Tip: The night before the examination you may wish to review some key
concepts that you believe need additional time, but then relax and get a good night's
sleep. Remember to set your alarm, allowing yourself plenty of time to dress
comfortably (preferably in layers, depending on the weather), have a good breakfast,
and arrive at the testing site at least 15 to 30 minutes early.
The nurse is caring for a patient who just had a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). The
nurse notices that the ECG is different from the previous ECG reading in most leads.
, Which action should the nurse take first? - ANSWER: Check the electrode placement
on the patient
Which teaching is essential for a patient who has had a permanent pacemaker
inserted? - ANSWER: Avoid operating electrical appliances over the pacemaker.
Which waveform indicates proper function of the sinoatrial (SA) node? - ANSWER: A
P wave precedes every QRS complex.
Which cardiac rhythm typically deteriorates into ventricular fibrillation? - ANSWER:
Ventricular tachycardia
Reasoning:
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) may occur in patients with ischemic heart disease,
myocardial infarction (MI), cardiomyopathy, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia,
valvular heart disease, heart failure, drug toxicity, hypotension, or ventricular
aneurysm. In patients who go into cardiac arrest, VT is commonly the initial rhythm
before deteriorating into ventricular fibrillation (VF) as the terminal rhythm. Atrial
fibrillation and flutter are not life-threatening rhythms. Third-degree heart block is
related to ischemia or scarring in the atrioventricular node, which slows the rate,
rather than making the heart irritable as in VT and fibrillation
A patient is taking metoprolol for supraventricular tachycardia. Which statement by
the patient warrants further investigation by the nurse? - ANSWER: "I got dizzy when
walking to the bathroom earlier."
Reasoning:
Beta-adrenergic blocking drugs decrease blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac
output; dizziness may occur with bradycardia or hypotension. This warrants further
investigation because the patient may be taking the metoprolol when the heart rate
is too low or may be rising too quickly, in which case the patient may require further
education. Constipation and fatigue are possible side effects of metoprolol. The
expected outcome when metoprolol is prescribed for atrial fibrillation or
supraventricular tachycardia is a heart rate under 100 beats per minute.
Test-Taking Tip: The following are crucial requisites for doing well on the NCLEX
exam: (1) A sound understanding of the subject; (2) The ability to follow explicitly the
directions given at the beginning of the test; (3) The ability to comprehend what is
read; (4) The patience to read each question and set of options carefully before
deciding how to answer the question; (5) The ability to use the computer correctly to
record answers; (6) The determination to do well; (7) A degree of confidence.
Which precaution should the nurse follow when providing cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) to a patient? - ANSWER:
Standard Precautions
Rasmussen University 2024 NCLEX
What part of the cardiac conduction system is responsible for ventricular
depolarization? - ANSWER: Purkinje fibers
Reasoning:
Purkinje fibers are responsible for the rapid conduction of electrical
impulses throughout the ventricles, which leads to ventricular
depolarization. The sinoatrial (SA) node causes atrial depolarization. The
transitional cell zone area consists of the atrioventricular (AV) node and
the Bundle of His. This area causes impulses to slow down or to be
delayed before proceeding to the ventricles but does not cause
ventricular depolarization.
The nurse is providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation to a patient who was found in
ventricular tachycardia with no pulse. The ACLS team arrives. What is the nurse's
priority responsibility at this time? - ANSWER: Provide information about the patient
to the ACLS team
Which condition is a result of a hypereffective heart in a well-conditioned athlete? -
ANSWER: Bradycardia
What is the greatest priority once a crash cart has been brought to a room when
responding to a patient in ventricular fibrillation? - ANSWER: Perform defibrillation.
Reasoning:
In cases of ventricular fibrillation, the earlier that defibrillation (asynchronous
countershock) is performed, the greater the chance of survival. Defibrillation
depolarizes a critical mass of myocardium simultaneously with the goal of restoring
spontaneous circulation. Cardiac compressions, rescue breathing, and the
administration of epinephrine follow defibrillation.
Test-Taking Tip: The night before the examination you may wish to review some key
concepts that you believe need additional time, but then relax and get a good night's
sleep. Remember to set your alarm, allowing yourself plenty of time to dress
comfortably (preferably in layers, depending on the weather), have a good breakfast,
and arrive at the testing site at least 15 to 30 minutes early.
The nurse is caring for a patient who just had a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). The
nurse notices that the ECG is different from the previous ECG reading in most leads.
, Which action should the nurse take first? - ANSWER: Check the electrode placement
on the patient
Which teaching is essential for a patient who has had a permanent pacemaker
inserted? - ANSWER: Avoid operating electrical appliances over the pacemaker.
Which waveform indicates proper function of the sinoatrial (SA) node? - ANSWER: A
P wave precedes every QRS complex.
Which cardiac rhythm typically deteriorates into ventricular fibrillation? - ANSWER:
Ventricular tachycardia
Reasoning:
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) may occur in patients with ischemic heart disease,
myocardial infarction (MI), cardiomyopathy, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia,
valvular heart disease, heart failure, drug toxicity, hypotension, or ventricular
aneurysm. In patients who go into cardiac arrest, VT is commonly the initial rhythm
before deteriorating into ventricular fibrillation (VF) as the terminal rhythm. Atrial
fibrillation and flutter are not life-threatening rhythms. Third-degree heart block is
related to ischemia or scarring in the atrioventricular node, which slows the rate,
rather than making the heart irritable as in VT and fibrillation
A patient is taking metoprolol for supraventricular tachycardia. Which statement by
the patient warrants further investigation by the nurse? - ANSWER: "I got dizzy when
walking to the bathroom earlier."
Reasoning:
Beta-adrenergic blocking drugs decrease blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac
output; dizziness may occur with bradycardia or hypotension. This warrants further
investigation because the patient may be taking the metoprolol when the heart rate
is too low or may be rising too quickly, in which case the patient may require further
education. Constipation and fatigue are possible side effects of metoprolol. The
expected outcome when metoprolol is prescribed for atrial fibrillation or
supraventricular tachycardia is a heart rate under 100 beats per minute.
Test-Taking Tip: The following are crucial requisites for doing well on the NCLEX
exam: (1) A sound understanding of the subject; (2) The ability to follow explicitly the
directions given at the beginning of the test; (3) The ability to comprehend what is
read; (4) The patience to read each question and set of options carefully before
deciding how to answer the question; (5) The ability to use the computer correctly to
record answers; (6) The determination to do well; (7) A degree of confidence.
Which precaution should the nurse follow when providing cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) to a patient? - ANSWER:
Standard Precautions
