Question

The nurse is watching the cardiac monitor and notices that the rhythm suddenly changes. No P waves, QRS complexes are wide; ventricular rate is 140 beats/minute. The nurse interprets that the client is experiencing which rhythm?

A. Sinus tachycardia
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Ventricular tachycardia
D. Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)

Answer 1

The client described is likely experiencing ventricular tachycardia, characterized by an absence of P waves, wide QRS complexes, and a high ventricular rate. This arrhythmia can be critical and requires immediate medical intervention. It results from abnormal electrical activity in the ventricles and may lead to an increased heart rate (pulse).

Step-by-step explanation:

The cardiac rhythm described by the nurse includes the absence of P waves, wide QRS complexes, and a ventricular rate of 140 beats per minute. This correlates with characteristics of ventricular tachycardia, which is a type of ventricular arrhythmia. Ventricular tachycardia is characterized by a fast heartbeat originating in the ventricles with wide and abnormal QRS complexes. It is important to address this rhythm promptly, as it can be life-threatening and may require immediate treatment such as defibrillation, depending on the stability of the patient.

In the case of ventricular tachycardia, the heart's electrical signals originate in the ventricles instead of the sinoatrial node, leading to the rapid heartbeat. Without proper P wave formation before the QRS complexes, atrial contraction is not effectively coordinated with ventricular contraction, which impairs the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently. Given this rhythm and the increased rate of the QRS complexes, one would expect a corresponding increase in heart rate (pulse). However, the pulse might not reflect the actual electrical activity if there is poor mechanical function of the heart during the arrhythmia.