The nurse is reviewing a rhythm strip of a client on the telemetry unit. There are no discernible P waves, and a sawtooth pattern of waves is present. The atrial rate is regular, and the PR interval is not measurable. The nurse would chart which rhythm for this client?
In atrial flutter, there are no discernible P waves, and a distinct sawtooth wave pattern is present. The atrial rate is regular, and the PR interval is not measurable. In atrial fibrillation, the rhythm would be very irregular with coarse, asynchronous waves. Torasades de pointes, or “twisting of the points,” is characterized by QRS complexes that twist around the baseline and is a form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. It may resolve spontaneously or progress to ventricular fibrillation. Normal sinus rhythm is the rhythm of a healthy heart, originating from the sinus node. The heart rate is between 60 and 100 with a distinct P wave and regular QRS complexes. Ventricular fibrillation is life-threatening, as the ventricles are unable to pump any blood due to disorganized electrical activity. Untreated, it quickly leads to cardiac arrest.
