1. Polymorphic VTach and torsade de pointes are two separate rhythms. True or False.
2. Torsade de pointes is a variant of polymorphic VTach. True or False.
3. When the patient is in sinus rhythm, the QRS complexes in polymorphic VTach have a(n) ____________ QT interval.
4. When the patient is in sinus rhythm, the QRS complexes in torsade de pointes have a(n) ____________ QT interval.
5. Polymorphic VTach usually occurs in patients having (pick the best one):
A. Acute myocardial infarction
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Ischemia
D. Congenital syndromes
E. Both A and C
F. Both B and D
G. All of the above
6. Both torsade and polymorphic VTach have groups of ventricular complexes (composed of 5 to 20 complexes) that seem to form groups. These groups are actually caused by a “twisting” of the polarity of the QRS complexes. True or False.
7. The ventricular rates in torsade and polymorphic VTach are between _____ and _____ BPM. Typically, both rhythms present around the 200 to 250 BPM range.
8. Torsade de pointes is not related to the underlying rate of the patient when he or she is not tachycardic in any way. True or False.
9. Both torsade and polymorphic VTach are usually self-limiting. They can, however, be sustained or break down into more malignant rhythms like ventricular fibrillation. True or False.
10. Which of the following is NOT a cause of torsade de pointes?
A. Direct drug effects
B. Hypokalemia
C. Intracranial hemorrhage
D. Hypercalcemia
E. Romano-Ward syndrome