1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has sinus bradycardia with a

heart rate of 48 beats per minute. The patient is asymptomatic and

has a history of hypertension and coronary artery disease. The

nurse should:

a) Administer atropine 0.5 mg IV push

b) Prepare for transcutaneous pacing

c) Monitor the patient's vital signs and cardiac rhythm

d) Notify the physician immediately

*Answer: c) Monitor the patient's vital signs and cardiac rhythm*

Rationale: Sinus bradycardia is a normal sinus rhythm with a rate

below 60 beats per minute. It may be a normal finding in some

healthy individuals, especially athletes, or it may be caused by

various factors such as hypothermia, hypothyroidism, increased

vagal tone, medications, or cardiac disorders. If the patient is

asymptomatic, meaning they do not have any signs or symptoms of

decreased cardiac output such as chest pain, dyspnea, dizziness,

syncope, or hypotension, the nurse should monitor the patient's

vital signs and cardiac rhythm and report any changes to the

physician. Atropine and transcutaneous pacing are interventions for

symptomatic bradycardia that may worsen the patient's condition if

used inappropriately.

2. A nurse is reviewing the electrocardiogram (ECG) of a patient

who has sinus tachycardia with a heart rate of 120 beats per

minute. The nurse should expect to see:

a) A regular rhythm with a P wave before each QRS complex

b) An irregular rhythm with a P wave before each QRS complex

c) A regular rhythm with no discernible P waves

d) An irregular rhythm with no discernible P waves