Arrhythmia
ARRHYTHMIAS
An arrhythmia is a disruption in the normal events of the cardiac cycle. It may take a variety of forms.
SINUS TACHYCARDIA
A. General information
A heart rate of over 100 beats/minutes, originating in the SA node.
May be caused by fever, apprehension, physical activity, anemia, hyperthyroidism, drugs (epinephrine, theophylline), myocardial ischemia, caffeine.
Assessment findings
Rate: 100-160 beats/minute
Rhythm: regular
P wave: precedes each QRS complex with normal contour
P-R interval: normal (0.08 second)
…
Is this Essay helpful? Join now to read this particular paper
and access over 480,000 just like this GET BETTER GRADES
and access over 480,000 just like this GET BETTER GRADES
…ventricles
Caused by acute MI, CAD, digitalis intoxication, hypokalemia
B. Assessment findings
1. Rate
Atrial: 60-100 beats/minute
Ventricular: varies between 110-250 beats/minute
2. Rhythm: atrial and ventricular irregular
P wave: often lost in QRS complex
P-R interval: usually not measurable
5. QRS complex: greater than 0.12 second, wide
C. Treatment
IV push of lidocaine (50-100mg), then IV drip of lidocainamide 1-4mg/minute
Procainamide via IV infusion of 2-6 mg/minute
Direct-current cardioversion
Bretylium, propranolol(inderal)
Need a custom written paper? Let our professional writers save your time.