The nurse is caring for a patient who is on a cardiac monitor. The nurse realizes that the sinus node is the pacemaker of the heart because it is:
a. the fastest pacemaker cell in the heart.
b. the only pacemaker cell in the heart.
c. the only cell that does not affect the cardiac cycle.
d. located in the left side of the heart.
A
The cardiac cycle begins with an impulse that is generated from a small concentrated area of pacemaker cells high in the right atria called the sinoatrial node (sinus node or SA node). The SA node has the fastest rate of discharge and thus is the dominant pacemaker of the heart. The AV node has pacemaker properties and can discharge an impulse if the SA node fails. The ventricles have pacemaker capabilities if the sinus node or the AV node ceases to generate impulses.
You might also like to view...
A parent reports being afraid that a child may have schizophrenia because of disorganized speech and asocial behaviors. The nurse will tell this parent that which of the following must also be present to make a diagnosis? (Select all that apply.)
a. A decrease in self-care, job, or school function b. A history of substance abuse c. A 1-month duration of active phase symptoms d. Continuous signs of disturbance for longer than 6 months e. The presence of manic episodes
A nurse engaged in the preinteraction phase of the nurse-patient relationship will:
a. consider what he or she has to offer the patient. b. form a workable but detailed contract. c. review the general goals of a therapeutic relationship. d. plan for the first interaction with the patient. e. identify existing stressors affecting the relationship.
A patient is prescribed a low-residue diet. What foods should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid while on this diet?
A. Chilled fruit gelatin desserts B. Rice, grains, pasta C. Wine, vinegar, beer, liquor D. Canned vegetables
In which is a capillary blood specimen least likely to be indicated?
1. Testing a serum glucose level 2. Measuring a client's hematocrit 3. Obtaining blood specimens on an infant 4. Measuring an arterial blood gas