You have 3 different patients require defibrillation cardioversion or insertion of an ICD. Identify the reason the therapy is indicated and the nursing management needed during and after the procedures. Dysrhythmias
Cardiac dysrhythmia (or arrhythmia) is a disturbance in the rate of cardiac muscle contractions, or any variation from the normal rhythm or rate of heart beat. It is the improper beating of the heart, whether irregular, too fast or too slow. The term encompasses abnormal regular and irregular rhythms as well as loss of rhythm. Cardiac arrhythmia occurs when electrical impulses in the heart don’t work properly. There may be no symptoms. Alternatively, symptoms may include a fluttering in the chest, chest pain, fainting or dizziness. If required, treatment includes anti-arrhythmic drugs, medical procedures, implantable devices and surgery.
Defibrillation is the administration of electric shocks to the heart in order to reset normal heart rhythm in persons who are experiencing cardiac arrest or whose heart function is endangered because of severe arrhythmia. Defibrillators are devices that send an electric pulse or shock to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat. They are used to prevent or correct an arrhythmia, an uneven heartbeat that is too slow or too fast. If the heart suddenly stops, defibrillators can also help it beat again.
Cardioversion is a medical procedure by which an abnormally fast heart rate or other cardiac arrhythmia is converted to a normal rhythm using electricity or drugs. Cardioversion is also a medical procedure that uses quick, low-energy shocks to restore a regular heart rhythm. It’s a treatment for certain types of irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), including atrial fibrillation (A-fib). Sometimes cardioversion is done using medications.
Generally, if you are right-handed, the device will be placed in your upper left chest. S-ICDs are implanted on the left side of the chest near the heart. If you are left-handed, or have a contraindication to a left-sided device a traditional ICD can be placed in your upper right chest.
Chicago style