Case Study: Arrhythmias
This case study will test the viewer’s knowledge of arrhythmias and the appropriate evaluation and treatment of arrhythmias.

Learning Objectives
Recognize the clinical signs and symptoms of hemodynamic compromise associated with tachyarrhythmias, including respiratory distress, poor perfusion, delayed capillary refill, weak pulses, and altered skin color.
Interpret cardiac rhythm characteristics, including heart rate, QRS complex duration, rhythm regularity, and P-wave visibility, to differentiate supraventricular tachycardia from other tachyarrhythmias.
Apply a structured assessment approach to identify supraventricular tachycardia and determine the patient's level of cardiovascular stability based on clinical and monitoring data.
Analyze electrocardiographic findings and patient presentation to distinguish narrow-complex tachycardia from wide-complex tachycardia and determine the most likely underlying rhythm.
Evaluate treatment options for supraventricular tachycardia using appropriate escalation of interventions, including vagal maneuvers, adenosine administration, synchronized cardioversion, and assessment of treatment effectiveness through rhythm reassessment.
Author(s)
Christine Lagrasta, DNP, RN, CPNP-PC/AC
Nurse Practitioner, Inpatient Cardiology, Department of Cardiac Surgery | Boston Children’s Hospital
Citation
LaGrasta C, Wolbrink TA. Case Study: Arrhythmias. 8/2015. Online Video. OPENPediatrics. https://learn.openpediatrics.org/learn/course/internal/view/elearning/3106/case-study-arrhythmias.
