The nurse is reading the cardiac monitor and notes that the patient's heart rhythm is extremely irregular and that there are no discernible P waves.The ventricular rate is 90 beats per minute,and the patient is hemodynamically stable.The nurse realizes that the patient's rhythm is
A) atrial fibrillation.
B) atrial flutter.
C) atrial flutter with rapid ventricular response.
D) junctional escape rhythm.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation arises from multiple ectopic foci in the atria,causing chaotic quivering of the atria and ineffectual atrial contraction.No discernible P waves can be identified,resulting in a wavy baseline and an extremely irregular ventricular response.Atrial flutter arises from a single irritable focus in the atria.The atrial focus fires at an extremely rapid,regular rate,between 240 and 320 beats per minute.The P waves are called flutter waves and may have a sawtooth appearance.Atrial flutter with rapid ventricular response occurs when atrial impulses cause a ventricular response greater than 100 beats per minute.A junctional escape rhythm is a ventricular rate between 40 and 60 beats per minute with a regular rhythm.P waves may be absent,inverted,or follow the QRS complex.QRS complex is normal.

The Nurse Is Reading the Cardiac Monitor and Notes That