Page 56 - AACN Essentials of Critical-Care Nursing Pocket Handbook, Second Edition
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Treatment is usually not necessary. Treat underlying cause. use atropine. verapamil, flecainide, may be successful.
Treatment For symptoms from slow rate, Antiarrhythmic therapy is often ineffective, but beta-blockers, amiodarone, or magnesium
• • • •
Cardiac Rhythms, ECG Characteristics, and Treatment Guide (continued)
ECG Characteristics Rate: 60-100 beats/min. If the rate is faster than 100 beats/min, it is called P waves: Varying shapes (upright, flat, inverted, notched) as impulses originate in different parts of the atria or junction. At least three differ
multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT). Rhythm: May be slightly irregular. QRS complex: Usually normal.
• • • should be seen. • • •
Rhythm Wandering atrial
pacemaker
3.12

