NCLEX-PN

Ventricular Arrhythmias These occur when impulses from the atrioventricular (AV) junction and SA node fail to reach the ventricles, causing the ventricles to assume the role of the heart's pacemaker. Ventricular arrhythmias have no atrial activity (P wave) and often exhibit wide QRS complexes (>0.12 seconds). Types of ventricular arrhythmias include idioventricular rhythms, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, asystole, and Torsades de Pointes. ●​ Idioventricular Rhythm ○​ Rate: <20-40 beats per minute ○​ Regular rhythm ○​ Absence of P waves ○​ Unmeasurable PR interval ○​ Deflection of the T wave ○​ Wide QRS complex (>0.12 seconds) Potential causes : Medication side effects (e.g., digitalis), metabolic abnormalities, hyperkalemia, cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction. Symptoms : mottled, cool and pale skin, dizziness, hypotension, weakness, and changes in mental status. Treatment options include a cardiac pacemaker, atropine, dopamine for hypotension, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if it progresses to asystole. a.​ Accelerated Idioventricular Arrhythmia ○​ Rate: >40 beats per minute ○​ Regular rhythm ○​ Absence of P waves ○​ Unmeasurable PR interval

559

© 2025 ACHIEVE ULTIMATE CREDIT-BY-EXAM GUIDE | NCLEX-PN ​

​

​

​

​