Exam (elaborations)
Atrial Dysrhythmias Exam Questions and Complete Solutions Graded A+
- Course
- Institution
Atrial Dysrhythmias Exam Questions and Complete Solutions Graded A+
[Show more]
Content preview
AtrialDysrhythmias
Exam Questions
and Complete
Solutions Graded
Denning [Date] [Course title]
, Premature Atrial contraction - Answer: A premature atrial contraction (PAC) is a contraction starting
from an ectopic focus in the atrium (i.e., a location other than the SA node) and occurring sooner than
the next expected sinus beat. The ectopic signal starts in the left or right atrium and travels across the
atria by an abnormal pathway. This creates a distorted P wave. At the AV node, it may be stopped
(nonconducted PAC), delayed (lengthened PR interval), or conducted normally. If the signal moves
through the AV node, in most cases it is conducted normally through the ventricles.
ectopic focus - Answer: an area in the heart that initiates abnormal beats. Ectopic foci may occur in both
healthy and diseased hearts and are usually associated with irritation of a small area of myocardial
tissue.
PAC - Answer: Causes of PAC in the healthy heart:
Emotional stress
Physical fatigue
Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol use
Medical conditions that are associated with PAC:
Hypoxia
Electrolyte imbalances
Disease states (hyperthyroidism, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], and heart disease,
including CAD and valvular disease)
ECG Characteristics of PAC - Answer: HR varies with the underlying rate and frequency of the PAC.
Irregular rhythm on palpation
P wave has a different shape from that of a P wave originating in the SA node, or it may be hidden in the
preceding T wave.
PR interval may be shorter or longer than the PR interval coming from the SA node, but it is within
normal limits.
QRS complex is usually normal. If the QRS interval is 0.12 second or more, abnormal conduction through
the ventricles occurs.
Clinical significance of PAC - Answer: In persons with healthy hearts, isolated PACs are not significant.
Patients may report palpitations or a sense that their hearts "skipped a beat." In persons with heart
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller YourExamplug. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $14.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
75632 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now