ACLS Bradycardia Quiz

Comments

  1. Noshaba Khaliq says

    Symptomatic bradycardia is defined by slow heart rate < 60 bpm that causes patient to have symptoms such as AMS, lightheaded/dizzy, +/- chest pain. Lots of patients have slow HR in the 50s and even high 40s WITHOUT symptoms. Question 4 in the bradyarrythmia category is misleading.

  2. Amelia says

    hi jeff!!! passed my ACLS today. your site is a precious gift to us. thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge. most of all i love the music. thanks again.

    • ACLS says

      Hi Amilia,

      That’s great! Thanks so much for the encouragement and I’m so glad that you like the music and that the site has been helpful for you.

      Kind regards, Jeff

  3. Rochelle Sidie, RN says

    I know that adequate perfusion is the decision point for the algorithm to be started, but isn’t blood pressure the best indicator of this?

    • ACLS says

      Blood pressure may not always be the best indicator. Patients with comorbidities or existing disease processes may have a normal blood pressure and still have inadequate perfusion. Adequate vs. inadequate perfusion would be identified by assessing the patient to identify symptoms of inadequate perfusion such as capillary refill > 3 sec., pallor, altered mental status, hypotension, and inadequate urinary output.

      Kind regards,
      Jeff

      • Teri says

        I would also add that sbp/dbp are numbers and not 100% indicators of adequate perfusion. Treat the patient not the numbers given by equipment. PEA is a perfect example. If you are not checking perfusion your patient dies while you watch the ECG believing the patient has a viable heart beat.

  4. Stephen Tafor says

    The phrasing of Question #10 is not specific. Maybe it should be, which rhythm is clinically ominous with bradycardia? There are lots of people functioning normally with a sinus rhythm that is bradycardic i.e. well conditioned athletes.

    • ACLS says

      Hi Sharon,

      You can find the definition at this link below on the American Heart Association website.

      Definition of bradycardia: “Bradycardia is defined as a heart rate <60/minute, but symptomatic bradycardia generally is <50/minute."

      Kind regards, Jeff

  5. Charlotte says

    The question about symptomatic bradycardia where the heart rate has to be slow (I get that “brady”), but eg in patients with sepsis and a tachycardia isn’t is also possible for a regular heart rate at 60-80 bpm to cause symptoms of a bradycardia?

    • ACLS says

      yes I’m some instances, it is possible to have a regular heart rate and for the patient to experience signs and symptoms that would indicate need for intervention.

      Kind regards,
      Jeff

    • Jeff with admin. says

      Any rhythm disorder with a heart rate <60/min is classified as a bradyarrhythmia. Remember: when the symptoms of a patient are caused by bradycardia, the rate will usually be less than 50/min. This information is found here: AHA ACLS Provider Manual pg. 122

      Kind regards, Jeff

      • jimmy says

        Jeff did you realize in two comments you just said bradyarrhythmia and bradycardia are the same thing < 60/min ? confusing AHA ACLS cant get it together unless confusing everyone with their nonsense.

      • ACLS says

        Previously stated in another comment: “Any rhythm disorder with a heart rate <60/min is classified as a bradyarrhythmia. Remember: when the symptoms of a patient are caused by bradycardia, the rate will usually be less than 50/min. This information is found here: AHA ACLS Provider Manual pg. 122."

        So it's not any heart rate less than 60 bpm. It's "any rhythm disorder with a heart rate less than 60." I hope that makes sense. Please let me know if you have any questions.

        Kind regards, Jeff

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I accept the Privacy Policy