Heart blocks
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
Heart blocks
Also testable as: Atrioventricular block, AV block, First-degree AV block, Second-degree AV block, Third-degree AV block
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Conduction delay or failure can occur from ischemia, age-related conduction disease, medications, electrolyte problems, or post-procedure changes.
- Electrical signals from atria to ventricles slow, intermittently drop, or fail completely, causing bradycardia and poor perfusion.
Medications
No specific medication class was seeded for this card.
Signs / symptoms
- Slow pulse with dizziness or hypotension.
- Dropped QRS complexes or AV dissociation.
- Third-degree block is more dangerous than first-degree block.
Nursing actions
- Assess pulse, blood pressure, mental status, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and perfusion.
- Hold or question rate-slowing medications when bradycardic or symptomatic per parameters.
- Prepare emergency pacing/atropine pathway for symptomatic high-grade block per protocol.
Complications
- Syncope
- Falls
- Shock
- Cardiac arrest
NCLEX cues
- Slow pulse with dizziness or hypotension.
- Dropped QRS complexes or AV dissociation.
- Third-degree block is more dangerous than first-degree block.
Memory hooks
- If the signal does not get through, perfusion can drop.
Labs / Diagnostics
- ECG rhythm strip
- Electrolytes
- Medication review
- Troponin if ischemia suspected
Review notes
- Supplemental wife-requested study card. Use for NCLEX review only and verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy.
Cross references
Related cards are generated from the shared study map, not hand-built per page.
Condition card for Heart blocks: recognize the testable cue, prevent the complication, and choose the safest first nursing action.
Delayed or blocked electrical conduction between atria and ventricles.
Heart rhythm tracing used to assess rate, rhythm, ischemia, and conduction problems.
Temporary or implanted pacing supports heart rate and perfusion when conduction is unsafe.
Electrical tracing or monitoring of heart rhythm.