A client has an epicardial pacemaker. The nurse observes the presence of a pacing spike but no QRS complex on the client's electrocardiograph (ECG) tracing. How does the nurse interpret this event?
a. Loss of capture
b. Ventricular fibrillation
c. Failure to sense
d. A normal tracing
A
In epicardial pacing, the wires are threaded onto the epicardial surface of the heart and exit through the chest wall. The pacemaker spike should be followed immediately by a QRS complex. Pacing spikes seen without subsequent QRS complexes imply loss of capture.
You might also like to view...
A patient is going to be assessed for oxygen consumption level. Which parameter will the nurse identify for this assessment?
1. Serum potassium level 2. Hemoglobin level 3. Creatinine level 4. Serum lactate level
The nurse is aware that an older adult may become socially isolated related to the loss of __________. (Select all that apply.)
a. a spouse b. friends to death or relocation c. health d. home e. culture
To correctly instill eardrops into the ear of the infant, the nurse should:
a. Pull the earlobe down and back b. Place the infant in a slightly inclined position c. Pull the earlobe forward d. Pull the upper ear back
Hans is 75 years old. He is suffering from a degenerative disease that is characterized by muscular rigidity and tremors. Hans has trouble moving and sitting up straight. His doctor, Dr. Ross, suspects that Hans's condition is a result of the degeneration of the neurons within the basal ganglia of his brain. Based on the information provided in this scenario, Dr. Ross is most likely to diagnose Hans with ________.
A. bipolar disorder B. schizophrenia C. Alzheimer's disease D. Parkinson's disease