Question

The patient is asymptomatic but is diagnosed with second-degree heart block Mobitz I. The patient is on digitalis medication at home. The nurse should expect that:

a. the patient has had an anterior wall myocardial infarction.
b. the physician will order the digitalis to be continued in the hospital.
c. a digitalis level would be ordered upon admission.
d. the patient will require a transcutaneous pacemaker.

Answer 1

A second-degree heart block Mobitz I is characterized by intermittent failure of conduction between the atria and ventricles. The patient is asymptomatic and already on digitalis medication, which is likely to be continued in the hospital. A transcutaneous pacemaker is not typically required for asymptomatic patients with this condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

A second-degree heart block Mobitz I is characterized by intermittent failure of conduction between the atria and ventricles. In this type of heart block, some P waves are not followed by QRS complexes on an ECG. Patients with this condition are usually asymptomatic. Since the patient is already on digitalis medication, the physician will likely continue the medication in the hospital. It is not necessary to order a digitalis level upon admission, as this medication is typically continued unless there are specific reasons to discontinue it. A transcutaneous pacemaker is not typically required for patients with a second-degree heart block Mobitz I who are asymptomatic.