Essay HBS202: Advanced Systems Physiology – Cardiac Arrhythmias – Nursing Assignment Help

Assignment Task:

• A normal ECG trace is shown below.  Explain what the different components of this trace represent.  In your answer you must discuss all the waves, segments and intervals that are shown in this trace and relate them to the structures of the conduction system. (5 marks)

Beryl is an 84 year-old who suffered a heart attack just after Christmas.  She has recently suffered a number of fainting episodes and has been diagnosed with left bundle branch block.  

• Explain what bundle branch block is and how it affects the electrical conduction of the heart (2 marks). 
• Which parts of an ECG trace would you expect to be affected by bundle branch block and how would those parts of the trace differ to normal? (3 marks)

Sabrina is a 24 year-old who has presented with symptoms including rapid heartbeat and occasional dizzy spells. Her doctor examines her ECG and tells her that he suspects she has a ventricular tachycardia. 

• Explain what ventricular tachycardia is (1 marks).
• Explain why this may cause her symptoms of dizziness (1 marks). 

Although there are many types of arrhythmia, treatment is similar for most of them. One pharmacological treatment is the prescription of ‘beta-blockers’, which are drugs that block the β-adrenoceptors in cardiac cells which in turn reduces heart rate. 

• Explain why blocking the β-adrenoceptors on cardiac autorhythmic cells would reduce heart rate, making sure to include the physiological mechanism by which these receptors influence heart rate (3 marks).