Certified EkG technician (CET) Practice Exam

What is a critical sign to monitor in patients with a third-degree heart block?

1. Visual disturbances

2. Signs of cardiac arrest

3. Severe headaches

4. Gastrointestinal issues

The correct answer is: Signs of cardiac arrest

In patients with third-degree heart block, monitoring for signs of cardiac arrest is critically important. Third-degree heart block, also known as complete heart block, occurs when there is a disruption in the electrical signals between the atria and ventricles of the heart. This can lead to a situation where the heart beats can become significantly slowed or completely blocked, resulting in decreased cardiac output and possibly leading to cardiac arrest. Patients may experience a variety of severe symptoms as the condition progresses, including a very low heart rate (bradycardia), syncope (fainting), or even complete loss of consciousness. The potential for sudden cardiac arrest necessitates close monitoring of the patient's heart rhythm and overall condition to respond promptly to any deterioration. While visual disturbances, severe headaches, and gastrointestinal issues can occur in various medical conditions, they are not direct indicators of the critical nature of third-degree heart block. Therefore, the most urgent and critical sign to monitor in these patients is indeed signs of cardiac arrest, which require immediate intervention.