Master ECG: Sinus Tachycardia with Picmonic for Nursing RN

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Parts of an ECG

ECG Interpretation

ECG: Atrial Fibrillation

ECG: Atrial Flutter

ECG: Sinus Bradycardia

ECG: Sinus Tachycardia

ECG with Sinus-spark-plug and Tac-heart-card

Picmonic

Sinus tachycardia is characterized by a normal conduction pathway with the SA node firing at a regular rate between 101 to 200 bpm, or for simplicity greater than 100 bpm. The ECG will show one upright P wave before every QRS. The PR interval is between 0.12-0.20 seconds (or less than 0.20), while the QRS interval is less than 0.12 seconds. Causes of sinus tachycardia include anemia, hyperthyroidism, heart failure, anxiety, fear, fever, exercise, and pain. Medications, such as epinephrine (Adrenalin), norepinephrine (Levophed), theophylline (Theo-Dur), hydralazine (Apresoline), and OTC cold remedies (pseudoephedrine [Sudafed]), can cause tachycardia. Management of sinus tachycardia involves treating the underlying cause.

6 KEY FACTS

The heart rate of an individual with sinus tachycardia is between 101 to 200 bpm, or for simplicity greater than 100 bpm.

The SA node is the pacemaker in individuals with sinus tachycardia and fires at a regular rhythm.

Like normal sinus rhythm, there is one upright P wave before every QRS in the individual with sinus tachycardia.

Like normal sinus rhythm, the PR interval of individuals with sinus tachycardia is between 0.12 to 0.20 seconds, or for simplicity, less than 0.20 seconds.

Like normal sinus rhythm, the QRS interval of individuals with sinus tachycardia is less than 0.12 seconds.

Treatment of sinus tachycardia involves addressing the underlying cause. Effective pain management will slow down the heart rate of individuals experiencing tachycardia related to pain. Vagal maneuvers may be taught to inhibit the vagus nerve to slow down the heart rate. Medications, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers, can be administered to treat the tachycardia. In severe cases involving clinically unstable patients, synchronized cardioversion may be used.

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