Author Question: A patient taking an ECG shows a regular sawtooth pattern with 30 P waves within a 6-sec inter-val ... (Read 58 times)

Coya19@aol.com · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

A patient taking an ECG shows a regular sawtooth pattern with 30 P waves within a 6-sec inter-val (30 large boxes). What course of treatment should this patient receive for this arrhythmia?

1. Calcium channel blockers
2. Digoxin
3. Cardioversion
4. Defibrillation
a. 1, 2, and 3 only
b. 2 and 4 only
c. 3 only
d. 1, 2, 3, and 4

Question 2

Which of the following criteria applies to third-degree block?

a. There is no relationship between the P waves and the QRS complexes.
b. The PR interval becomes progressively longer.
c. The ventricular rate is twice that of the atrial rate.
d. The QRS complex is inverted compared to the P wave.

ultraflyy23 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
First the patient's heart atrial heart rate must be calculated: 30 P waves 10 = 300 beats/min. Looking at the patient's atrial heart rate and the sawtooth pattern displayed on the ECG, the pa-tient is demonstrating atrial flutter. Treatment for atrial flutter is to provide medication (digoxin, beta blockers, or calcium channel blockers), allow the arrhythmia to significantly slow down, and then cardioversion is recommended.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
This arrhythmia can be recognized when it is established that there is no relationship between the P waves and the QRS complexes.