Help
Options
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Cardiac EKG
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is Depolarization? | It’s the electrical activation of the heart muscle cells that makes them contract. 👉 Think of it like the heart’s “ON switch” — when depolarization happens, electricity moves through the heart, causing the chambers to squeeze and pump blood. |
| What is Repolarization? | It’s the heart muscle’s “reset” phase — when the cells recover and get ready for the next heartbeat. 👉 Think of it like the heart’s “OFF switch” — after contracting, the cells recharge so they can contract again. |
| What does the SA Node do? | It’s the heart’s natural pacemaker — the part that starts each heartbeat by sending an electrical signal. 👉 Think of it like the “spark plug” of the heart — it sets the pace and keeps the rhythm steady. |
| What does the AV Node do? | It’s the “traffic controller” of the heart’s electrical system — it slows down the signal from the SA node before it goes to the ventricles. 👉 Think of it like a pause button that gives the ventricles time to fill with blood before they contract. |
| Lead Placement | RA (Right Arm/White): right wrist or upper arm, LA (Left Arm/Black): left wrist or upper arm, RL (Right Leg/Green): right lower leg — ground lead, LL (Left Leg/Red): left lower leg Think; “White on right, smoke over fire” |
| What are the Intrinsic Rates of all 3 Nodes? | SA node: 60–100 bpm (main pacemaker) AV node: 40–60 bpm (backup pacemaker) Ventricles (Purkinje fibers): 20–40 bpm (last backup) |
| Ectopic Beats | These are “extra” or “out-of-place” heartbeats that start somewhere they shouldn’t, outside the normal pacemaker (SA node). 👉 Think of them like a skip or hiccup in the heart’s rhythm. |
| Types of Ectopic Beats? | -PAC (Premature Atrial Contraction): extra beat from the atria. -PVC (Premature Ventricular Contraction): extra beat from the ventricles. |
| Normal Sinus Ryhthm | Heart rate: 60–100 beats per minute Rhythm: Regular (even spacing between beats) Each beat has: P wave → QRS complex → T wave (in that order) Electrical signal starts in the SA node and travels the normal pathway. |
| Sinus Bradycardia | Heart rate: less than 60 beats per minute Rhythm: Regular Each beat still has a P wave → QRS → T wave Can be normal in athletes or during sleep Can be abnormal if it causes dizziness, fatigue, or low blood pressure |
| Vagaling | the body’s reflex that slows the heart through the vagus nerve. "Massaging the carotid artery" |
| Treatment for Sinus Bradycardia | Atropine – medicine that speeds up the heart. Pacemaker – a device that keeps the heart beating regularly if medicine isn’t enough. Treat underlying cause – like stopping certain medications or managing electrolyte problems. Oxygen & IV fluids –support |
| Sinus Tachycardia | Heart rate: over 100 beats per minute Rhythm: Regular Each beat has P wave → QRS → T wave Can be normal (exercise, stress, fever) Can be problematic if it causes dizziness, chest pain, or low blood pressure |
| Treatment for Sinus Tachycardia | Treat the cause: Fever, pain, dehydration, anxiety, or medications. Medications (if needed): Beta-blockers can slow the heart rate. Lifestyle measures: Reduce caffeine, alcohol, or stress. Monitoring: Make sure it’s not linked to heart disease. |
| What is Sinus Arrythmia? | Irregularity of the heartbeat caused by a cyclic increase and decrease in the rate of the sinus rhythm. |
| Sinus Arrythmia | Rhythm: irregular (changes with inhaling/exhaling) Heart rate: usually normal range (60–100 bpm) P wave → QRS → T wave pattern is still normal Common in children and young adults Usually harmless |
| Treatments for Sinus Arrhythmia | Usually none needed Monitor only if there are symptoms or other heart problems No medication is required for healthy people |
| Sinus Arrest/ Sinus Block | Rhythm: irregular due to pauses Heart rate: may drop during the pause P wave → QRS → T wave resumes normally after the pause Can be harmless or cause dizziness, fainting if pauses are long |
| Treatment for Sinus Arrest / Sinus Block | If asymptomatic: Usually monitor only If symptomatic: Atropine – speeds up the heart Pacemaker – if pauses are frequent or dangerous Treat underlying cause: Medications, electrolyte problems, or heart disease |
| Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC) | Rhythm: irregular (extra beat interrupts normal rhythm) P wave may look different from normal Usually harmless Can be triggered by stress, caffeine, alcohol, or smoking |
| Treatment for Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC) | Usually none needed if the person is healthy Avoid triggers: Reduce caffeine, alcohol, and stress Monitor if frequent or causing symptoms Medication (like beta-blockers) only if symptomatic or frequent |
| Atrial Tachycardia | Heart rate: 150–250 bpm (atria beating very fast) Rhythm: usually regular P wave may look different or hidden Can cause dizziness, shortness of breath, or palpitations |
| Treatment for Atrial Tachycardia | Vagal maneuvers – like coughing or bearing down, can slow the heart Beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers to control rate Antiarrhythmics to restore normal rhythm Cardioversion Treat underlying cause: Stress, caffeine, or heart disease |
| Wandering Atrial Pacemaker | Rhythm: irregular Heart rate: usually normal (60–100 bpm) P waves: shape changes as the pacemaker moves Usually harmless and often seen in athletes or during sleep |
| Treatment for Atrial Pacemaker | Usually none needed if the person is healthy Monitor for symptoms Treat underlying causes if present (like lung disease or electrolyte imbalance) |
| Atrial Flutter | Rhythm: usually regular P waves: look like “sawtooth” waves on an EKG Can cause palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath Risk of blood clots because the atria aren’t pumping effectively |
| Treatment for Atrial Flutter | Beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers to slow ventricular rate Antiarrhythmics to restore normal rhythm Cardioversion – electrical shock to reset heart rhythm if unstable Anticoagulants – to prevent blood clots if flutter is prolonged |
| Signs / Symptoms of Atrial Flutter | Palpitations Rapid HR Chest Pain Shortness of Breath Lightheadedness Fatigue Hypotension |
| Atrial Fibrillation | Rhythm: irregularly irregular (no predictable pattern) P waves: not visible; replaced by tiny chaotic waves Can cause palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath Risk of blood clots → STROKE |
| Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation | Control heart rate: Beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers Restore rhythm: Antiarrhythmics or cardioversion (electric shock) Prevent clots: Anticoagulants (blood thinners) Treat underlying causes: High blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid issues |
| Signs/ Symptoms of A Fib | Palpitations–feeling the heart flutter or race Irregular pulse–pulse feels uneven or unpredictable Dizziness or lightheadedness–due to reduced blood flow |
| Signs/ Symptoms of A Fib Cont.. | Fatigue–heart isn’t pumping efficiently Shortness of breath–especially with activity Chest discomfort–pressure or mild pain |
| Junctional Rhythm | Heart rate: 40–60 bpm (can be faster if accelerated) Rhythm: regular P wave: Hidden, inverted, or after the QRS QRS: usually normal Can be asymptomatic or cause dizziness and fatigue |
| Junctional Rhythm Signs/ Symptoms | Dizziness or lightheadedness – due to reduced blood flow Fatigue – heart isn’t pumping efficiently Shortness of breath – especially with activity Palpitations – may feel skipped or slow beats Hypotension – low blood pressure if heart rate is very slow |
| Treatment for Junctional Rhythm | If asymptomatic: Usually monitor If symptomatic: Atropine – to speed up the heart Pacemaker – if slow rhythm persists or dangerous Treat underlying cause: Medications, electrolyte imbalance, or heart disease |
| First Degree AV Block | PR interval on EKG: prolonged (>0.20 sec) Rhythm: regular Heart rate: usually normal Usually asymptomatic |
| First Degree AV Block Signs/ Symptoms | Often none Rarely: fatigue or mild dizziness if heart rate is slow |
| Treatment for First Degree AV Block | Usually none if asymptomatic Monitor for progression to more serious AV block Treat underlying cause if present (e.g., medications, electrolyte imbalances, ischemia) |
| Second Degree AV Block (Type 1) | PR interval gets longer with each beat until a QRS is dropped Rhythm: irregular Heart rate: usually normal or slightly slow Usually benign (Wenckebach / Mobitz I) |
| Second Degree AV Block (Type 1) Signs/ Symptoms | Often none Rarely: fatigue, dizziness, or palpitations |
| Treatment for Second Degree AV Block (Type 1) | Usually none if asymptomatic Monitor heart rhythm Atropine – if symptomatic and heart rate is too slow Pacemaker – only if severe symptoms or progression |
| Second Degree AV Block (Type 2) | PR interval: constant for conducted beats QRS: may be wide if bundle branch is involved Rhythm: can be regular or irregular Heart rate: often slow Can progress to complete heart block |
| Second Degree AV Block (Type 2) Signs/ Symptoms | Dizziness or lightheadedness Fainting (syncope) Fatigue Palpitations Shortness of breath |
| Treatment for Second Degree AV Block (Type 2) | Immediate attention needed – higher risk than Type 1 Temporary or permanent pacemaker – main treatment Atropine – may help if symptomatic, but often less effective than for Type 1 Treat underlying cause – medications, ischemia, or electrolyte problems |
| Third Degree AV Block (Complete Heart Block) | P waves and QRS waves: not related Heart rate: usually very slow (ventricular escape rhythm) Rhythm: regular but independent Can be life-threatening |
| Third Degree AV Block Signs/ Symptoms | Severe dizziness or lightheadedness Fainting (syncope) Fatigue Shortness of breath Chest pain Low blood pressure |
| Treatment for Third Degree AV Block | Immediate attention needed Temporary pacemaker – stabilize heart rate Permanent pacemaker – main long-term treatment Treat underlying cause – heart disease, medications, or electrolyte problems |
Created by:
MelisaAshley91
Popular Nursing sets