A 77-year-old woman is complaining of a sudden onset of palpitations. The cardiac monitor reveals atrial fibrillation with a ventricular response of 144 to 210 beats/min while the patient is at rest. In this situation, the ventricular rate associated with this rhythm is considered to be _____.
A) controlled
B) uncontrolled

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation that has a ventricular rate of less than 100 beats/min is described as controlled. A controlled ventricular rate may be the result of a healthy AV node protecting the ventricles from very fast atrial impulses or medications used to control (block) conduction through the AV node, decreasing the number of impulses reaching the ventricles.

A 77-Year-Old Woman Is Complaining of a Sudden Onset of Palpitations