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Cardiac Dysrhythmias and Arrhythmias Flashcards

7 cards from real CMT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning โ€” missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Cardiac Dysrhythmias and Arrhythmias flashcards as text
  1. A patient has a heart rate of 32 bpm with wide QRS complexes and no relationship between P waves and QRS complexes. What is the escape pacemaker site?

    Answer: Ventricular (Purkinje system)

    A rate of 20-40 bpm with wide QRS complexes indicates a ventricular escape pacemaker, the slowest inherent pacemaker in the heart.

  2. Which medication class is first-line for terminating AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)?

    Answer: Adenosine

    Adenosine transiently blocks AV node conduction, interrupting the reentrant circuit responsible for AVNRT.

  3. On an ECG, a delta wave (slurred upstroke of the QRS) combined with a short PR interval is the hallmark of:

    Answer: Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome

    WPW syndrome is identified by ventricular pre-excitation via an accessory pathway, producing a short PR interval and delta wave on the ECG.

  4. When PVCs occur in groups of three, the pattern is termed:

    Answer: Triplet (run of VT)

    Three consecutive PVCs are called a triplet and technically represent a very brief run of ventricular tachycardia.

  5. A CMT observes a sudden change from a sinus rhythm to a regular narrow-complex tachycardia at 170 bpm that starts and stops abruptly. This best describes:

    Answer: Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)

    PSVT is characterized by abrupt onset and termination of a regular, narrow-complex tachycardia, distinguishing it from sinus tachycardia.

  6. Which ECG finding is the most reliable indicator of significant myocardial ischemia triggering ventricular arrhythmias?

    Answer: ST segment elevation or depression

    ST segment changes (elevation or depression) reflect myocardial ischemia or injury, which creates electrical instability and increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmias.

  7. Asystole on a cardiac monitor is confirmed by:

    Answer: A flat line in at least two leads after checking leads and connections

    Asystole must be confirmed in at least two leads to rule out fine VFib and to exclude a loose lead or connection artifact mimicking a flat line.