For this project, you will create a professional, patient-safety-focused educational poster on a selected cardiac rhythm or cardiac emergency. The poster must demonstrate your understanding of cardiac electrophysiology, rhythm interpretation, and priority nursing actions.
Step 1: Choose ONE Topic
Select one of the following cardiac rhythms or conditions:
Rhythm Options
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· Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib)
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· Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
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· Ventricular Tachycardia (VT – with/without pulse)
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· Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)
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· 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Degree AV Block
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· Bundle Branch Blocks (LBBB or RBBB)
Cardiac Emergency Option
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· STEMI vs NSTEMI (side-by-side comparison)
Step 2: Poster Requirements
Your poster must include all of the following sections clearly labeled:
1. Pathophysiology (What’s happening electrically?)
Explain:
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· The electrical conduction issue causing the rhythm
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· What is happening in the atria, AV node, or ventricles
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· Impact on cardiac output and perfusion
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· What makes this dangerous for the patient
Use visuals or simplified drawings when possible.
2. Rhythm Strip Example
Include:
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· At least one high-quality, labeled ECG strip
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· Labels for P-wave, PR interval, QRS, QT, R-R pattern, etc. as relevant
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· Brief interpretation notes (rate, regular/irregular, waveform findings)
3. ECG Findings/Key Characteristics
List diagnostic identifiers, such as:
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· Atrial/ventricular rate
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· Regularity
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· P-wave presence/absence
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· PR interval abnormalities
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· QRS width
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· Hallmark features (e.g., sawtooth waves, chaotic baseline, wide complex)
This is the “how to recognize it in real time” section.
4. Labs (if applicable)
Only include labs if your rhythm/condition uses them:
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· Troponins (STEMI/NSTEMI)
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· Electrolytes (esp. K+, Mg+)
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· TSH (for Afib if thyroid-related)
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· ABGs (if related to hypoxia-induced arrhythmias)
5. Priority Interventions
Include nurse-driven and provider-driven interventions, such as:
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· What to assess first (LOC, perfusion, BP, symptoms)
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· What equipment to prepare (pads, suction, crash cart)
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· Medication management (amiodarone, adenosine, beta blockers, etc.)
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· Emergency actions (cardioversion, defibrillation, CPR)
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· When to call a rapid response or code
This section must emphasize safe practice and rapid recognition.
6. Reperfusion Goals (if applicable)
For STEMI vs NSTEMI ONLY:
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· Time-to-ECG (≤10 minutes)
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· Door-to-balloon (≤90 minutes)
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· Door-to-needle (≤30 minutes for thrombolytics)
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· Troponin trends
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· PCI vs medical management
Poster Format Requirements
Your poster must be:
· 1 page (PowerPoint slide, Canva poster, or PDF)
· Professional, visually appealing, readable at a distance
· Use of color-coding, icons, charts, or visuals encouraged
· Minimum 18-point font
· Limited text—use bullet points
· Organized in logical sections
Source Requirements
· Minimum 2 scholarly sources (within 5–7 years)
· APA 7th edition reference list in small text at the bottom
· Sources may include: ✓ Cardiac texts ✓ ACLS guidelines ✓ UpToDate ✓ AHA resources
Submission
Submit the following:
· Final poster (PDF or PPT)
· Reference list (APA) if not included on poster
Cardiac Rhythm Poster Project