NUR 453 Exam 1 ACTUAL UPDATED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
P wave represents - CORRECT ANSWERS atrial depolarization
The PR interval represents... and should last ... - CORRECT ANSWERS the time it takes
the atria to signal the ventricles, 0.12-0.20 sec
The QRS complex represents - CORRECT ANSWERS ventricular depolarization
The ... is the pacemaker of the heart - CORRECT ANSWERS SA node
When there is a heart block, myocardial cells can conduct an impulse on their own because they
have - CORRECT ANSWERS automaticity
An example of electrical conductivity when there is actually no physical pumping of the heart
muscle - CORRECT ANSWERS pulseless electrical activity
How can hyperkalemia be identified on an EKG? - CORRECT ANSWERS peaked T wave
Which electrolyte imbalance can cause torsades de pointes? - CORRECT
ANSWERS hypomagnesemia
Which leads show the inferior wall of the heart? - CORRECT ANSWERS 2, 3, AVF
Which leads show the lateral aspect of the heart? - CORRECT ANSWERS 1, AVL, V5, V6
Which leads show the inter-ventricular septum of the heart? - CORRECT ANSWERS V1,
V2
,Which leads show the anterior wall of the left ventricle of the heart? - CORRECT
ANSWERS V3, V4
When looking at an EKG strip, the x axis is ... and the y axis is ... - CORRECT
ANSWERS time (sec), amplitude/voltage (mV)
Why does the left ventricle have more myocytes than any other chamber of the heart? -
CORRECT ANSWERS because it needs extra strength to overcome the systemic vascular
resistance
On an EKG, one small box is ... and 5 small boxes (1 large box) is ... - CORRECT
ANSWERS 0.04 sec, 0.20 sec
If the patient has an irregular rhythm, what is the preferred method of obtaining heart rate? -
CORRECT ANSWERS take the patient's apical pulse for 1 full minute
If you cannot physically see the patient but need to evaluate their heart rate, what is the next best
method to do so? - CORRECT ANSWERS Count the number of QRS complexes in a 6-
second strip and multiply by 10 (this will give an estimation, not an exact rate)
How can you tell by looking at an EKG that the rhythm is sinus (originating in the SA node)? -
CORRECT ANSWERS if it has P waves
Why is it possible for an EKG of a patient with a perfectly healthy heart to not have a perfect
PQRSTU sequence? - CORRECT ANSWERS It all depends on the leads being used, each
set of leads has a different view of the heart
If you patient presents with any EKG abnormalities, what are your 4 areas of focus when
conducting a head to toe assessment? - CORRECT ANSWERS neuro
cardiac
, respiratory
perfusion
What are the 2 priority nursing actions when a patient has any EKG abnormalities? - CORRECT
ANSWERS 1. obtain a set of vitals
2. assess the patient
When assessing a patient with one or more EKG abnormalities, what questions does the nurse
need to answer? - CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Are they alert and oriented?
2. Is their skin warm and dry?
3. Are they short of breath?
4. Are they having palpitations?
5. Are they lightheaded or dizzy?
Treatment for a STABLE but symptomatic patient with sinus bradycardia - CORRECT
ANSWERS administer meds such as atropine to increase HR
Treatment for a symptomatic UNSTABLE patient with sinus bradycardia (2) - CORRECT
ANSWERS 1. administer O2
2. prepare for pacing
Is treatment necessary for a patient who has sinus bradycardia but not experiencing symptoms? -
CORRECT ANSWERS No, just have medications or interventions prepared in case the
patient starts to develop symptoms
What types of medications can cause sinus bradycardia (3)? - CORRECT ANSWERS 1.
opioids
2. beta blockers
3. digoxin
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
P wave represents - CORRECT ANSWERS atrial depolarization
The PR interval represents... and should last ... - CORRECT ANSWERS the time it takes
the atria to signal the ventricles, 0.12-0.20 sec
The QRS complex represents - CORRECT ANSWERS ventricular depolarization
The ... is the pacemaker of the heart - CORRECT ANSWERS SA node
When there is a heart block, myocardial cells can conduct an impulse on their own because they
have - CORRECT ANSWERS automaticity
An example of electrical conductivity when there is actually no physical pumping of the heart
muscle - CORRECT ANSWERS pulseless electrical activity
How can hyperkalemia be identified on an EKG? - CORRECT ANSWERS peaked T wave
Which electrolyte imbalance can cause torsades de pointes? - CORRECT
ANSWERS hypomagnesemia
Which leads show the inferior wall of the heart? - CORRECT ANSWERS 2, 3, AVF
Which leads show the lateral aspect of the heart? - CORRECT ANSWERS 1, AVL, V5, V6
Which leads show the inter-ventricular septum of the heart? - CORRECT ANSWERS V1,
V2
,Which leads show the anterior wall of the left ventricle of the heart? - CORRECT
ANSWERS V3, V4
When looking at an EKG strip, the x axis is ... and the y axis is ... - CORRECT
ANSWERS time (sec), amplitude/voltage (mV)
Why does the left ventricle have more myocytes than any other chamber of the heart? -
CORRECT ANSWERS because it needs extra strength to overcome the systemic vascular
resistance
On an EKG, one small box is ... and 5 small boxes (1 large box) is ... - CORRECT
ANSWERS 0.04 sec, 0.20 sec
If the patient has an irregular rhythm, what is the preferred method of obtaining heart rate? -
CORRECT ANSWERS take the patient's apical pulse for 1 full minute
If you cannot physically see the patient but need to evaluate their heart rate, what is the next best
method to do so? - CORRECT ANSWERS Count the number of QRS complexes in a 6-
second strip and multiply by 10 (this will give an estimation, not an exact rate)
How can you tell by looking at an EKG that the rhythm is sinus (originating in the SA node)? -
CORRECT ANSWERS if it has P waves
Why is it possible for an EKG of a patient with a perfectly healthy heart to not have a perfect
PQRSTU sequence? - CORRECT ANSWERS It all depends on the leads being used, each
set of leads has a different view of the heart
If you patient presents with any EKG abnormalities, what are your 4 areas of focus when
conducting a head to toe assessment? - CORRECT ANSWERS neuro
cardiac
, respiratory
perfusion
What are the 2 priority nursing actions when a patient has any EKG abnormalities? - CORRECT
ANSWERS 1. obtain a set of vitals
2. assess the patient
When assessing a patient with one or more EKG abnormalities, what questions does the nurse
need to answer? - CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Are they alert and oriented?
2. Is their skin warm and dry?
3. Are they short of breath?
4. Are they having palpitations?
5. Are they lightheaded or dizzy?
Treatment for a STABLE but symptomatic patient with sinus bradycardia - CORRECT
ANSWERS administer meds such as atropine to increase HR
Treatment for a symptomatic UNSTABLE patient with sinus bradycardia (2) - CORRECT
ANSWERS 1. administer O2
2. prepare for pacing
Is treatment necessary for a patient who has sinus bradycardia but not experiencing symptoms? -
CORRECT ANSWERS No, just have medications or interventions prepared in case the
patient starts to develop symptoms
What types of medications can cause sinus bradycardia (3)? - CORRECT ANSWERS 1.
opioids
2. beta blockers
3. digoxin
