NURSING 319 - Med Surg 3 -Exam 2 Study Guide.

NURSING 319 - Med Surg 3 -Exam 2 Study Guide/NURSING 319 - Med Surg 3 -Exam 2 Study Guide. CARDIAC 1.The patient has chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). What action do you anticipate? A. Monitoring the PR interval B. Defibrillation with 360 joule C. Teaching the patient to monitor the pulse deficit D. Teaching the patient to take an anticoagulant daily ANS: D The chaotic atrial activity results in blood stasis that can lead to embolic events. Patients with chronic AF are given an anticoagulant, most often warfarin (Coumadin), to prevent the formation of emboli. There is no PR interval in AF because the P wave is absent, replaced by chaotic fibrillatory waves. Defibrillation is an elective procedure in chronic AF and is performed at lower levels of electricity. Pulse deficit is a higher-level skill and is not taught to the patient.