Cardiac-Vascular Nursing (CVRN) Practice Exam

What is a common characteristic of ventricular fibrillation in heart failure patients?

1. High blood pressure

2. Complete heart block

3. Loss of consciousness

4. Stable heart rhythm

The correct answer is: Loss of consciousness

Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening arrhythmia that is characterized by chaotic electrical activity in the ventricles, leading to ineffective heart muscle contractions and a significant decrease in cardiac output. In patients with heart failure, the heart is already compromised, which increases the risk of developing ventricular fibrillation. One of the key indicators of this arrhythmia is the loss of consciousness, as the brain does not receive adequate blood flow and oxygen due to the heart's inability to pump effectively. Loss of consciousness occurs rapidly, typically within seconds, because the brain is highly dependent on a continuous supply of oxygenated blood. The collapse is due to the abrupt cessation of effective blood circulation caused by the erratic electrical activity of the heart. Recognizing loss of consciousness as a symptom of ventricular fibrillation is crucial, as it necessitates immediate medical intervention through cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation to restore a normal rhythm and prevent death. In this context, other potential options are less relevant to the characteristic manifestation of ventricular fibrillation. While high blood pressure and complete heart block can be associated with various cardiac conditions, they do not directly relate to the presentation of ventricular fibrillation. Similarly, a stable heart rhythm would be the ant