Final Course Assessment #1

The _______________is considered the normal pacemaker of the heart.

An ectopic (or early beats) occurs due to: Irritability or an escape mechanism.

The intrinsic rate of the AV node is _____________.

During the _______________refractory period, absolutely no impulses can overtake the cardiac rhythm.

R on T refers to when an abnormal impulse occurs during which phase of the cardiac cycle?

• At the beginning of the QRS complex

• Right before the PR interval

• During the second half of the T wave

• During the first half of the T wave

Responding to ST segment changes is important as elevation could indicate:

• That the patient may have a low potassium level

• That the patient may be having an MI (myocardial infarction)

• The patient may need the leads adjusted

• A pacemaker may be required

The following are all possible causes of sinus tachycardia EXCEPT:

• Fever

• Parasympathetic stimulation

• Shock

• Hypoxemia

The following are all true of atrial fibrillation EXCEPT:

• It always results in decreased cardiac output

• It causes a propensity for clot formation

• R-R intervals are grossly regular

• Rate control is important for hemodynamic stability 2

The following statements regarding ventricular tachycardia are true EXCEPT for:

• Some patients in VT may have a pulse and be relatively stable

• VT may occur in patients without coronary artery disease

• Patients with recurrent symptomatic VT may need to have electrophysiology studies done

• The first treatment of choice for VT without a pulse is immediate amiodarone administration.

The following is true of junctional rhythm:

• It is an irregular rhythm

• The P waves can occur before, during, or after the QRS.

• The QRS is greater than 0.12 seconds

• The PR interval is greater than 0.20 seconds