A patient's rhythm appears distorted and highly irregular. Which action should be taken
first? - answerC. Assess the patient and the position of the ECG electrodes.
Which intervention promotes a clear picture of the ECG tracing? - answerB. Changing
the electrodes every 24 to 48 hours
A nurse is orienting a new graduate nurse. The patient they are caring for experiences a
confirmed sudden change in cardiac rhythm. Which action indicates that the new
graduate nurse needs additional education? - answerD. The graduate nurse changes
the electrodes.
A patient is admitted with an inferior wall MI. Which lead should the nurse select to
monitor the patient? - answerC. II
Which lead should be selected to monitor a patient in atrial flutter? - answerA. Lead II
When changing the ECG electrodes, the health care team member observes the skin
under one of the electrodes appears irritated. Which action should be taken next? -
answerB. Rotate the electrode site
The nurse is explaining ECG electrode placement using a five-lead system to a nursing
student. Which statement by the nursing student demonstrates the need for further
education? - answerC. "The brown electrode should be placed in the center of the
chest."
The nurse is caring for a patient with continuous ECG monitoring. The monitor is
alarming tachycardia and states that the patient's heart rate is 150 beats per minute.
The nurse checks the patient who states that he feels fine. The nurse checks the
patient's pulse manually and finds it to be 75 beats per minute. In troubleshooting the
problem, what should the nurse do next? - answerC. Adjust the size of the ECG
The nurse is explaining to a nursing student about applying ECG electrodes. Which
statement by the nursing student demonstrates understanding?
A. "I should attach the electrodes to the lead wires before placing them on the patient."
B. "I should place the RA and LA electrodes over top of the clavicle, so that when I push
the electrode down, it pushes against bone instead of soft tissue."
C. "I should prep the patient's chest with alcohol before applying electrodes to improve
conduction."
, D. "When placing the electrodes on the patient's chest, I should press firmly in the
center of the electrode to ensure good adherence." - answerA. "I should attach the
electrodes to the lead wires before placing them on the patient."
What is the benefit of monitoring a patient in V1? - answerA. Helps differentiate normal
ventricular beats from ectopic beats
Before defibrillating a patient, the nurse notices that the gel pads are dry. Which step
should the nurse take? - answerA. Replace the gel pads before use.
A patient is experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, and a decreased level of
consciousness. To maximize the current through the myocardium, where should the
nurse place the self-adhesive defibrillator pads? - answerA. One pad in the right
infraclavicular area and the other pad on the midaxillary line over the sixth intercostal
space
A critically ill patient is in VF. Using a biphasic waveform defibrillator, the nurse should
deliver the initial shock at which setting? - answer120 J
An unstable patient's ECG shows VT. Which action should the nurse perform first? -
answerD. Start CPR and call for help.
The nurse is caring for a 136-kg (300 lb) patient. To deliver adequate chest
compressions, a colleague kneels on the bed. Before defibrillating the patient, what
must the nurse ensure that the colleague does? - answerB. Move off the bed and away
from the patient.
Why is prompt initiation of defibrillation important? - answerC. It is crucial to patient
survival.
The nurse is assisting with a patient who has undergone cardiac arrest. The code team
nurse places the defibrillator gel pads on the patient, identified that the patient is in VF,
and begins charging the defibrillator. What should the critical care nurse do? - answerD.
Continue CPR until the nurse calls "all clear" to shock the patient.
After a defibrillation attempt with 120 J, an organized rhythm is observed on the monitor.
Which is the next action for the nurse? - answerC. Resume CPR.
After an initial defibrillation attempt with biphasic energy of 120 J, no change in the heart
rhythm occurs. Which is the next action for the nurse to take? - answerB. Immediately
resume CPR.
A patient is in refractory VF after multiple attempts at defibrillation, CPR, and
appropriate medications have been administered. Which action should be considered
next? - answerA. Initiate DESD.
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 jw638729. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $15.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.