Because G.P.'s dysrhythmia is causing unacceptable symptoms, he ...

[maegan_martin]

Because G.P.'s dysrhythmia is causing unacceptable symptoms, he is taken to surgery and a permanent DDDR pacemaker is placed and set at a rate of 70 beats/min.
 
  What does the code DDDR mean?

Question 2

You review G.P.'s laboratory test results and note that all of them are within normal range, including troponin and creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) levels.
 
  His potassium level is 4.7 mEq/L. Given this and his current dysrhythmia, what is the likely cause of the symptoms he has been experiencing this past week?

[6ana001]

Answer to Question 1

DDDR pacing is used for patients with a symptomatic bradycardia in which the atrium can be
stimulated by a pacemaker but atrioventricular conduction is, or possibly might become, unreliable.
The first D indicates the heart chamber paced, meaning dual pacing, because both the atrium and
ventricle are paced. The second D indicates the chamber sensed, meaning dual sensing, because
both the atrium and ventricle are sensed. The third D indicates how the pacemaker will respond to
the patient's own activity; D indicates dual response to sensing, either triggered or inhibited. The R
indicates rate-responsive pacing.

Answer to Question 2

The atrial fibrillation causes decreased cardiac output, including reduced perfusion of the cardiac
muscle. This, along with his existing CAD, could lead to his angina episodes as a result of cardiac
ischemia. The normal troponin and CPK levels indicate that damage to the heart muscle (infarction)
has not yet occurred.