Basic Cardiac Rhythms

Written in a clear, easy-to-understand style, Introduction to Basic Cardiac Dysrhythmias, Revised Fourth Edition, uses straightforward language to explain how the heart functions and how to interpret ECGs-essential knowledge that will allow you to anticipate the appropriate treatment for each. Coverage of the 2010 Emergency Cardiovascular Care guidelines are reflected in all topics in the text.

"If you are reading this, chances are your current or future role involves rapid cardiac rhythm interpretation. This can be one of the most challenging topics for students to learn. Of course, I am partially biased in that this text is presented from the nurse's perspective. However, it is my hope that this text will provide greatbenefit to nursing students, new nurses, cardiac monitor technicians, paramedic students, and medical students alike! My goal is to provide you with the most amount of information in as few words possible (hence the graphics). They say a picture is worth a thousand words. If you wanted to read for the sake of reading you would have picked up an encyclopedia. My hope is that you can use the pictures presented as a quick reference if you need a topic refresher once you complete the reading. For this reason, each topic is presented in the following format : What is it? What does this mean? Why should we care? Take home points : These are presented after each topic. Think of them as a, "What do I need to know about this topic if I only have 10 seconds to review this p age?" type of review. As you read, take special careto appreciate the underlying concept for each rhythm strip instead of just memorizing waveforem appearances. This will help to amke sense of why the waveforms appear the way that they do. Remember that each rhythm strip tells a story of what's happening behind the scenes (at the micro and macro cellular level). We're simply observing a 30,000 foot view of what's occurring beneath our electrodes. (----back cover of book)

One of the most time-consuming tasks in clinical medicine is seeking the opinions of specialist colleagues. There is a pressure not only to make referrals appropriate but also to summarize the case in the language of the specialist. This book explains basic physiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms of cardiovascular disease in a straightforward manner, gives guidelines as to when referral is appropriate, and, uniquely, explains what the specialist is likely to do. It is ideal for any hospital doctor, generalist, or even senior medical student who may need a cardiology opinion, or for that ma.

Geared to LPNs/LVNs, this quick-reference pocket book provides an easy-to-understand guide to ECG interpretation and features over 200 clearly explained ECG rhythm strips. Following a refresher on relevant cardiac anatomy, physiology, and electrophysiology, the book presents the 8-step method for reading any rhythm strip. Subsequent chapters explain various cardiac rate and rhythm abnormalities, including sinus node arrhythmias, atrial arrhythmias, junctional arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias, and atrioventricular blocks. Arrhythmias are covered in a consistent format—causes, significance, ECG characteristics, signs and symptoms, and interventions. Coverage also includes ECG characteristics of disorders, drugs, pacemakers, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and a chapter on basic 12-lead electrocardiography.

A guide to reading and understanding rhythm strips and 12-lead ECGs, this updated edition reviews fundamental cardiac anatomy and physiology, explains how to interpret a rhythm strip, and teaches the reader how to recognize and treat 18 arrhythmias.

This unique resource provides clear, concise explanations of the conduction patterns that result in the electrophysiologic tracing seen on the electrocardiogram (ECG). It covers basic and advanced dysrhythmia concepts, as well as the nursing implications for each rhythm.

This newly updated, quick-access guide for critical care nurses covers the most common admitting diagnoses and reviews their causes, signs and symptoms, and interventions. Critical care nursing requires astute assessment, adept communication, and the ability to multitask, as well as a high degree of adaptability. In the ICU, patient status and plan of care change constantly, presenting multifaceted problems for nurses and healthcare providers. This authoritative resource, with bulleted, bite-sized content, provides information to the busy ICU nurse in a heartbeat. Fast Facts for the Critical Care Nurse, Second Edition, has been updated with the most current evidence-based guidelines and standards. Now organized by body system, this reference presents the latest treatment modalities and provides quick access to lab values and hemodynamic parameters. Part I introduces the foundations of critical care. Part II progresses by body system to cover common procedures and interventions. Part III covers patient- and family-centered care, discussing palliative directives and organ donation. New to the Second Edition: Seven completely new chapters Chapter reorganization by body system Updated to include newest treatment modalities Speedy access to appendices with common lab values, hemodynamic parameters, IV medications, and EKG rhythm examples Key Features: Provides quick access to essential information needed on a daily basis Includes Fast Facts boxes to help guide the reader Authored by a respected nurse leader, educator, and AACN/Wharton Executive Leadership Fellow