Author Question: When reviewing the 12-lead electrocardiograph (ECG) for a healthy 79-year-old patient who is having ... (Read 32 times)

londonang · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

When reviewing the 12-lead electrocardiograph (ECG) for a healthy 79-year-old patient who is having an annual physical examination, what will be of most concern to the nurse?

a. The PR interval is 0.21 seconds.
b. The QRS duration is 0.13 seconds.
c. There is a right bundle-branch block.
d. The heart rate (HR) is 42 beats/minute.

Question 2

After noting a pulse deficit when assessing a 74-year-old patient who has just arrived in the emergency department, the nurse will anticipate that the patient may require

a. emergent cardioversion.
b. a cardiac catheterization.
c. hourly blood pressure (BP) checks.
d. electrocardiographi c (ECG) monitoring.

efwsefaw · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The resting HR does not change with aging, so the decrease in HR requires further investigation. Bundle-branch block and slight increases in PR interval or QRS duration are common in older individuals because of increases in conduction time through the AV node, bundle of His, and bundle branches.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Pulse deficit is a difference between simultaneously obtained apical and radial pulses. It indicates that there may be a cardiac dysrhythmia that would best be detected with ECG monitoring. Fre-quent BP monitoring, cardiac catheterization, and emergent cardioversion are used for diagnosis and/or treatment of cardiovascular disorders but would not be as helpful in determining the im-mediate reason for the pulse deficit.