1. A patient is admitted with chest pain and dyspnea. The nurse obtains a

12-lead ECG and observes a regular rhythm with a rate of 110 beats per

minute, upright P waves before each QRS complex, a PR interval of 0.16

seconds, and a QRS duration of 0.08 seconds. How should the nurse

interpret this rhythm?

 - A) Normal sinus rhythm

 - B) Sinus arrhythmia

 - C) Sinus bradycardia

 - D) *Sinus tachycardia*

 - Rationale: Sinus tachycardia is a normal sinus rhythm with a rate of 100

to 150 beats per minute. The other options are incorrect because they do not

match the rate or the characteristics of the rhythm.

2. A patient is diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and is started on

anticoagulation therapy. The nurse explains to the patient that this therapy

is important to prevent which complication of atrial fibrillation?

 - A) *Stroke*

 - B) Heart failure

 - C) Myocardial infarction

 - D) Ventricular fibrillation

 - Rationale: Stroke is a common complication of atrial fibrillation because

the irregular and often rapid atrial activity can lead to the formation of

blood clots in the atria, which can then embolize to the brain or other

organs. The other options are not directly related to atrial fibrillation.

3. A patient is monitored in the telemetry unit for recurrent palpitations.