CHAPTER 26

A nurse is performing discharge teaching with a client who has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placed. Which client statement indicates effective teaching?

Correct response:

• "I'll keep a log of each time my ICD discharges."

The nurse is caring for a client scheduled for a transesophageal echocardiogram with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. The client's spouse asks the nurse to explain the purpose of the test. What is the nurse's best response?

Correct response:

• "This test will show any blood clots in the heart, and help us determine if it is safe to do a cardioversion."

A client is admitted to the emergency department reporting chest pain and shortness of breath. The nurse notes an irregular rhythm on the bedside electrocardiograph monitor. The nurse counts 9 RR intervals on the client’s 6-second rhythm tracing. The nurse correctly identifies the client’s heart rate as

Correct response: multiply by 10

• 90 bpm.

The nurse analyzes a 6-second electrocardiogram (ECG) tracing. The P waves and QRS complexes are regular. The PR interval is 0.18 seconds long, and the QRS complexes are 0.08 seconds long. The heart rate is calculated at 70 bpm. The nurse correctly identifies this rhythm as

Correct response:

• normal sinus rhythm.

The nurse is assessing a patient with a probable diagnosis of first-degree AV block. The nurse is aware that this dysrhythmia is evident on an ECG strip by what indication?

Correct response:

• Delayed conduction, producing a prolonged PR interval

A client is diagnosed with a dysrhythmia at a rate slower than 60 beats/minute. What type of dysrhythmia does the client have?

Correct response:

• sinus bradycardia