Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

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What is the primary characteristic of Atrial Fibrillation?

Rapid, random ineffective contractions of the atrium
Consistent and strong contractions of the ventricles
Regular heartbeat with uniform intervals
Slow and rhythmic contractions of the atrium

The correct answer is: Rapid, random ineffective contractions of the atrium

The primary characteristic of Atrial Fibrillation is the rapid, random ineffective contractions of the atrium. In this condition, the electrical signals in the atria become disorganized, leading to a chaotic heart rhythm. As a result, the atria do not contract effectively, which can lead to a generally elevated heart rate and increased risk of blood clots due to stagnant blood flow. This disorganization causes the atria to quiver instead of contracting normally, preventing them from completing their pumping action, which can affect the overall efficiency of the heart's function. The other options describe heart functions that are not characteristic of Atrial Fibrillation. Consistent and strong contractions of the ventricles (the second choice) can occur in other types of arrhythmias but are not indicative of Atrial Fibrillation. Regular heartbeat with uniform intervals (the third choice) describes a normal sinus rhythm, which is the opposite of Atrial Fibrillation. Lastly, slow and rhythmic contractions of the atrium (the fourth choice) are typically seen in bradyarrhythmias or other controlled rhythms, which again do not align with the chaotic nature of Atrial Fibrillation.