The nurse is teaching a class on rhythm abnormalities to patients who have experienced dysrhythmias. The nurse knows that teaching has been effective when a patient makes which statement?
1. "Dysrhythmias cause serious electrolyte imbalances; this results in heart block."
2. "Dysrhythmias are the result of long-standing, uncontrolled hypertension."
3. "Dysrhythmias interrupt the normal electrical pathways in the heart so it can't beat properly."
4. "Dysrhythmias alter the blood flow through the heart and cause it to stop beating."
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: All dysrhythmias cause a defect in the generation or conduction of electrical impulses across the myocardium. Lack of synchronization of the atria and ventricles may have profound consequences such as decreasing cardiac output. Dysrhythmias do not alter blood flow through the heart. Some dysrhythmias may result in heart block, but dysrhythmias do not cause electrolyte imbalances. Dysrhythmias do not result from hypertension.
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