A client presents to the emergency department with weakness, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. The nurse performs an electrocardiogram (ECG) and notices this arrhythmia. Which arrhythmia is the client exhibiting?
A. Atrial fibrillation (AF)
B. Ventricular tachycardia (VT)
C. Junctional tachycardia
D. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
Ans: A. Atrial fibrillation (AF)
Explanation: AF can be chronic or intermittent. Note the wavy baseline with uncoordinated atrial electrical activity and irregular ventricular rhythm. AF clients who have valvular disease are particularly at risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Symptoms depend upon the ventricular rate and, if rapid, the client can experience fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, anxiety, syncope, palpitations, chest discomfort, and hypotension. Clients should be monitored carefully for these complications. Some clients can be asymptomatic. VT is a rapid ventricular rate typically between 140 and 250 beats per min and characterized by wide bizarre QRS complexes. Clients exhibiting junctional tachycardia may have no P waves or inverted P waves and a rate greater than 100. SVT involves the rapid stimulation of atrial tissue at a rate of over 150 beats per min in adults. During SVT, P waves may not be visible, especially if there is a 1:1 conduction with rapid rates because the P waves are embedded in the preceding T wave. SVT may occur in healthy young people, especially women.
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