NURS 3104 Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Premature Ventricular Contraction, Sinus Rhythm, Sinus Bradycardia
16 Oct 2017
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Document Summary
Dysrhythmias include sinus node, atrial, junctional, and ventricular dysrhythmias and their various subcategories. Sinus bradycardia occurs when the sinus node creates an impulse at a slower-than-normal rate. The following are characteristics of sinus bradycardia: Ventricular and atrial rate: less than 60 in the adult. All characteristics of sinus bradycardia are the same as those of normal sinus rhythm, except for the rate. The patient is assessed to determine the hemodynamic effect and the possible cause of the dysrhythmia. If the decrease in heart rate results from stimulation of the vagus nerve, such as with bearing down during defecation or vomiting, attempts are made to prevent further vagal stimulation. If the bradycardia is from a medication such as a beta-blocker, the medication may be withheld. If the slow heart rate causes signi cant hemodynamic changes, resulting in shortness of breath, decreased level of consciousness, angina, hypotension, st-segment changes, or premature ventricular complexes (pvcs), treatment is directed toward increasing the heart rate.
