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24 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is bradycardia?
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slow HR - the SA node discharges impulses more slowly but everything else in the heart works normally
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Explain a complete heart block
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the atria and ventricle are doing their own thing. (caused by the AV node
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What is the treatment for bradycardia?
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treat only if symptomatic
give atropine IV consider transcutaneous pacing dopamine infusion at the lowest rate possible |
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What does atropine do for the heart?
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stimulates the SA node to work faster
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What does dopamine do for the heart?
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increases cardiac output
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Explain a PVC
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Premature Ventricular Contraction
Something in the ventricles isnt working right, it discharges an impulse before the SA node |
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What are multifocal PVCs?
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pvc's that are coming from all different areas of the ventricle not just one (unifocal)
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What could you do to treat a PVC?
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treat underlying cause
Amiodarone IV/infusion Lidocaine IV/infusion |
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Explain Ventricular tachycardia
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an ectopic foci in the ventricles becomes the pacemaker of the heart
- it becomes so dominant that it overrides everything else |
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What does it mean if your pt. has ventricular tachycardia and no pulse?
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that your pt. is coding
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How could you treat your pt. with ventricular tachycardia?
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Amiodarone IV
Lidocaine IV synchronized cardioversion |
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How is your pts cardiac output effected if they have ventricular tachycardia?
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it is decrease by at least 50%
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What is ventricular fibrillation?
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normal electrical conduction is replaced by chaotic activity in the ventricle. NO ORGANIZED ACTIVITY
quivering (think Jello) |
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What is the treatment for ventricular fibrillation (also for a VT with no pulse)?
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check for responsiveness, activate EMS code, call for a defibrillator
open the airway, check for breathing, begin ventilations, check for pulse, begin compressions Most important! Use defibrillation ASAP |
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Explain the use of the defibrillator
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defibrillate
check for pulse if no pulse or chg in rhythm defib again start IV and begin to adm. meds (CPR should con't) Give epi (IV push) defib again if pt. remains in rhythm, admin amiodarone and/or lidocaine Can defib 3Xs and then meds (amniodarone and/or lidocaine) |
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What is asystole?
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there is no electrical activity
no pacemaker if firing Heart is "silent" |
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When would you defibrillate a pt. with asystole?
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NEVER
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What does it mean if your pt. has PEA?
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pulseless electrical activity
the pt. has electrical activity on the monitor but no heartbeat |
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What is the treatment for PEA and asystole?
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check for responsiveness
activate EMS and call for defibrillator Begin CPR (NO DEFIB) start IV and admin EPI IVP Give atropine IV consider the cause of PEA/asystole and try to fix |
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What is the purpose of giving Epi and atropine to your pt with PEA or asystole?
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gives you time to figure out what the cause is
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What could be some of the causes of PEA or asystole?
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hypovolemia, hypoxia, acidosis, K imbalance, hypothermia, overdose, cardiac tamponade, PE
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What is synchronized cardioversion?
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uses electrical activity to convert a cardiac dysrhythmia to a hemodynamically stable rhythm
the impulse is sent at a determined time (machine will determine when) to avoid triggering VFib discharge during the vulnerable period |
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What is defibrillation?
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unsynchronized electrical discharge is used in an attempt to convert a dysrhythmia (VF or pulseless VT) to a more stable rhythm
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If your pt. is intubated, what should you do immediately after?
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listen for bilateral breath sounds
check for exhaled CO2 |
