University:
West Coast University
Course:
NURS 110 | Introduction to Professional Nursing
Academic year:

2021
Views:

108

Pages:

1
Author:

maselarmwpa

Atrial Fibrillation PRI: None QRS: < .12 sec QT: < .40 Rhythm: Irregular Source of pacer: Atrial Characteristics: Atrial fibrillation is caused by chaotic ectopic or reentry current activity, which causes the atria to quiver rather than contract. The atria quiver at a high rate producing the fuzzy and garbled wave forms seen where a flat isoelectric line should be. Atrial fibrillation can generate a ventricular response rate that is controlled or very fast and can place the patient at risk for hemodynamic instability. Cardiac output is reduced with the loss of “Atrial Kick” since the atria are not contracting. The ventricular rate my also be very fast resulting in further decreased cardiac output. In addition, since the atria are not contracting, the patient is at risk for the formation, of emboli leading to pulmonary embolism or stroke. Causes: MI, Rheumatic heart disease, COPD, CHF, ischemia chest trauma, CAD and open-heart surgery. Treatment: Treatment may very. If this is an acute arrhythmia, the patient may be cardioverted, or treated with beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin, amiodarone or procainamide. If this is a chronic rhythm that would not convert with cardioversion or medications, it is important that the patient be evaluated and possibly placed on anticoagulation medication before discharge home. 24