Question 1

ECG tracings that cannot be interpreted are known as _________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ECG tracings that cannot be interpreted are...

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient who has chest discomfort.While obtaining the 12-lead ECG,the patient complains of feeling very anxious.Which of the following interventions should the nurse take in caring for the patient's anxiety?

Accepted Answer

A) Continue to monitor the patient. 
B) Reassess factors contributing to anxiety or distress. 
C) Ask the family caregiver to leave the room. 
D) Notify the health care provider.

Question 3

The nurse is preparing to apply electrodes for continuous cardiac monitoring to a newly admitted adult with syncope.Which action by the nurse follows appropriate procedure?

Accepted Answer

A) Cleanse and prepare the chest area for electrode placement with chlorhexidine. 
B) Use a blanket to cover the patient's abdomen while the limb electrodes are being placed. 
C) Scrape the area to roughen the dermis layer of skin to allow electrical signals to travel more easily. 
D) Place the patient in a supine position.

Question 4

The nurse recognizes the following indications as appropriate for continuous cardiac monitoring.

Accepted Answer

A) Postresuscitation patients 
B) Patients with heart failure 
C) Patients over the age of 75 years 
D) Diagnosis of dysrhythmias in children

Question 5

The nurse is reviewing the patient's Do Not Resuscitate orders when the cardiac alarm sounds.The rhythm is chaotic with no identifiable waves and the rate cannot be determined.Based on these clinical findings,the nurse determines that the patient is in which of the following cardiac rhythms?

Accepted Answer

A) Asystole 
B) Ventricular fibrillation 
C) Ventricular tachycardia 
D) Sinus bradycardia

Question 6

The nurse determines the needs to obtainment of a 12-lead ECG on a patient.The nurse assesses two identifiers to ensure patient safety.This practice is in compliance with which safety organization?

Accepted Answer

A) American Nurses Association 
B) The Joint Commission 
C) The National Hospital Association for Patient Safety 
D) Magnet Credentialing

Question 7

The nurse is observing a nursing assistive personnel (NAP)perform a 12-lead ECG tracing on a newly admitted patient.The nurse recognizes that the NAP requires additional training on this skill when she observes which of the following erroneous lead placements?

Accepted Answer

A) V1-Fourth intercostal space at the right sternal angle 
B) V2-Fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border 
C) V4-Fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line 
D) V6-Left midaxillary line at the level of V4 horizontally

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a patient on continuous cardiac monitoring who is experiencing occasional premature ventricular contractions.Which of the following actions demonstrate appropriate protocol?

Accepted Answer

A) Review alarm trends and waveforms at least once per shift. 
B) Review alarm trends and waveforms upon report of an alarm. 
C) Record at least one rhythm strip per shift to the patient's medical record. 
D) Report any unexpected outcomes to the health care provider at the end of the shift.

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a 6-year-old child after open-heart surgery.When assessing the patient,the nurse notes that the position of the leads may be different in the pediatric population.Which lead placement explains this special consideration?

Accepted Answer

A) The position of the green lead can be changed to mirror one of the precordial lead positions. 
B) The standard placement for V1 is at the fifth intercostal space,right sternal border. 
C) The standard placement for V1 is at the fourth intercostal space,left sternal border. 
D) In general,mechanisms of dysrhythmias are the same in children as they are in adults.

Question 10

The nurse is reviewing the patient's medications and recognizes that which of the following medications can cause dysrhythmias?

Accepted Answer

A) Digoxin 
B) Amlodipine 
C) Amiodarone 
D) Lasix

Question 11

The student nurse is preparing to perform a 12-lead ECG on an adult patient.Which action by the student should the nursing instructor question?

Accepted Answer

A) Cleansing and preparing the isolated electrode area with soap and water 
B) Wiping the area with a rough cloth or gauze to gently scrape the area 
C) Clipping the excessive hair from the electrode area 
D) Using alcohol to cleanse the electrode area

Question 12

The nurse analyzes the patient's cardiac rhythm as follows: regular rhythm,rate 108 beats per minute,normal PQRS complex.The nurse interprets that the clinical significance of this cardiac rhythm is most likely related to which indication?

Accepted Answer

A) Decreased cardiac output 
B) Dizziness 
C) Pain 
D) Syncope

Question 13

The nurse is assessing several patients who have returned from surgery when a 12-lead ECG is ordered for a newly admitted patient.Prioritizing patient needs,the nurse determines that obtaining the 12-lead ECG can be most appropriately delegated to which member of the health care team?

Accepted Answer

A) Administrative secretary 
B) Registered nurse who is covering for lunch breaks 
C) Nursing assistive personnel (NAP)who has been specifically trained to obtain the measurement 
D) ECG technician from the vascular lab

Question 14

A patient is being monitored on a continuous cardiac monitor.The nurse directs the nursing assistive personnel (NAP)to immediately report which of the following patient findings?

Accepted Answer

A) Patient complaints of pain 
B) Shortness of breath 
C) Hypotension 
D) Patient's request to use the bedside commode

Question 15

The nurse is assessing if the patient needs a 12-lead ECG.Which of the following indications,if identified,indicates that a 12-lead ECG should be obtained?

Accepted Answer

A) Suspected acute coronary syndromes including myocardial infarction 
B) History of smoking 2 packs per day for 30 years 
C) Evaluation of syncope 
D) Disorders of the cardiac rhythm

Exam 26: Cardiac Care