CEA Nursing Practice Exam

Which condition is characterized by the presence of an abnormal heart rhythm noted on an ECG?

1. Atrial fibrillation

2. Heart failure

3. Unstable angina

4. Stable angina

The correct answer is: Atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is characterized by an abnormal heart rhythm that is distinctly identified on an electrocardiogram (ECG). In this condition, instead of the heart beating in a regular rhythm, the electrical signals become chaotic, leading to an irregular and often rapid heart rate. This irregularity is a key feature that differentiates atrial fibrillation from other cardiac conditions. In contrast, heart failure refers to the heart's inability to pump blood effectively, but it does not specifically denote an abnormal rhythm on an ECG. Instead, ECG findings in heart failure may include changes indicative of structural heart problems or previous heart attacks, rather than the specific chaotic rhythms seen in atrial fibrillation. Unstable angina and stable angina are conditions related to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, primarily due to coronary artery disease. While they can result in ECG changes, such as ST-segment depression or elevation during episodes of angina, the main characteristic is not an abnormal heart rhythm but rather abnormalities that reflect the heart's oxygen demand versus supply. Thus, the presence of an abnormal heart rhythm on an ECG is explicitly tied to atrial fibrillation, making it the correct choice in this context.