Author Question: The nurse has been teaching a class on dysrhythmias to a group of patients with this disorder. The ... (Read 67 times)

abarnes · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse has been teaching a class on dysrhythmias to a group of patients with this disorder. The nurse determines that teaching has been effective when a patient makes which statement?

1. Our sodium, potassium, and magnesium levels must be okay for our hearts to have an electrical impulse.
2. Potassium is the most important electrolyte when it comes to the electrical impulse in our hearts.
3. Our sodium, potassium, and calcium levels must be okay for our hearts to have an electrical impulse.
4. Enhancing potassium and sodium is how our medications will work to prevent dysrhythmias.

Question 2

The patient tells the nurse, My doctor says I have atrial fibrillation. Is this serious and how is it treated? What is (are) the best response(s) by the nurse?

1. This condition is best treated with what we call antidysrhythmic drugs.
2. This is very common; your doctor will discuss the best treatment with you.
3. Depending upon your symptoms, your doctor may use an electrical shock.
4. This is quite serious; did your doctor mention a heart transplant?
5. It is very serious, even more serious than a ventricular dysrhythmia.

bfulkerson77 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: Changes in sodium, potassium, and calcium levels generate the action potential in myocardial cells. For this to occur, the patient must have normal levels of sodium, potassium, and calcium. Changes in sodium, potassium, and calcium, not magnesium, levels generate the action potential in myocardial cells. Antidysrhythmic drugs work by blocking, not enhancing, potassium, sodium, or calcium channels. Sodium, potassium, and calcium are equally important when it comes to the myocardial action potential.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2,3
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of dysrhythmia. The physician will determine whether to use nonpharmalogical techniques such as cardioversion, or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), or medication. Medications can cause serious side effects and are normally reserved for patients with overt symptoms, or for patients whose condition cannot be controlled by other means. Ventricular dysrhythmias are more serious than atrial dysrhythmias because they are more likely to interfere with the normal function of the heart. Heart transplants are not indicated for patients with dysrhythmias.