Medicine · Explanation & counselling

Pacemaker consent

Medium

10 min station · 2 min reading · Curtin Year 5

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F M P B

2 min reading · 10 min station · reminders at 2 min

Instructions

You are an intern on the cardiology ward. Iris Waddell, 79, was admitted after two blackouts in a week. Her ECG shows complete heart block with a ventricular rate of 38. Her bloods are normal. The cardiologist has booked a permanent pacemaker for this afternoon.

  1. Explain the ECG result to Mrs Waddell and obtain her consent for a permanent pacemaker

  • You do not need to take a history or examine the patient

ECG

Complete heart block; atrial rate 80, ventricular rate 38; broad escape rhythm.

Bloods

K 4.3; TSH normal; troponin normal; creatinine 82; INR 1.0.