Dysrhythmias are commonly observed after which cardiac event?

• A. Dysrhythmias
• B. Pleural effusion
• C. Hyperglycemia
• D. Liver failure

Answer: (A)

Electrical instability after a cardiac event, especially myocardial ischemia or infarction, often disrupts the heart’s conduction system. When the tissue is ischemic or necrotic, conduction pathways are altered, electrolyte shifts (like potassium and magnesium) occur, and a surge of catecholamines can provoke abnormal impulses. This combination makes dysrhythmias the most common electrical disturbance you’ll see in the acute phase after such events. Monitoring for these rhythm changes is essential, and treatment may include antiarrhythmics, defibrillation for life-threatening rhythms, or pacing as needed.

Other options aren’t as directly linked to the immediate electrical instability after a cardiac event. Pleural effusion is a respiratory complication, not a primary post-event rhythm disturbance; hyperglycemia is a metabolic stress response; liver failure is a systemic failure not a typical post-event rhythm issue.