Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

What is the term used when the atria and ventricles are beating independently?

1. First-degree heart block

2. Second-degree heart block

3. Third-degree heart block

4. Atrial fibrillation

The correct answer is: Third-degree heart block

The correct term for the situation in which the atria and ventricles are beating independently is referred to as third-degree heart block. In third-degree heart block, there is a complete failure of the electrical signals to travel from the atria to the ventricles. This results in the atria and ventricles contracting at their own separate rates, leading to a disconnection in their rhythm. The atria continue to beat in response to their own electrical impulses, while the ventricles do so independently, creating a lack of coordination between the two chambers. This condition can lead to significant issues, including a reduced amount of blood being pumped throughout the body, which may result in symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, or even fainting. Understanding the dynamics of third-degree heart block is essential for recognizing severe implications for patient health, highlighting the critical need for monitoring and potential intervention. In contrast, the other types of heart block generally involve varying degrees of impairment in the electrical conduction system but do not lead to such a complete dissociation between atrial and ventricular activity.