A 64-year-old client is seen in the emergency department for palpitations and mild shortness of breath.The electrocardiogram (ECG)reveals a normal P wave,P-R interval,and QRS complex with a regular rhythm and rate of 108 beats per minute.The nurse should recognize this cardiac dysrhythmia as:
A) Sinus dysrhythmia
B) Sinus tachycardia
C) Supraventricular tachycardia
D) Ventricular tachycardia

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The client is experiencing sinus tachycardia.The rhythm is regular with a normal P wave,normal QRS complex,and a rate of 100 to 180 beats per minute.A sinus dysrhythmia has a rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute and slows during inspiration and increases with expiration.The client is not experiencing a sinus dysrhythmia.With supraventricular tachycardia,the heart rate is 150 to 250 beats per minute,the P wave may be buried in the preceding T wave,and the P-R interval is variable.This client is not experiencing supraventricular tachycardia.With ventricular tachycardia the rhythm is slightly irregular at a rate of 100 to 200 beats per minute,the P wave is absent,the P-R interval is absent,and the QRS complex is wide.This client is not experiencing ventricular tachycardia.

A 64-Year-Old Client Is Seen in the Emergency Department for Palpitations