Have you ever felt like your heart was pounding, pounding, or skipping a beat? This can be a sign of cardiac arrhythmia and is especially common in older adults. If they occur occasionally, they are usually harmless. However, some arrhythmias that last longer may be critical and require management and treatment. Cardiac arrhythmia is a class of conditions in which the electrical activity of the heart is abnormal. One way to correct some arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter is to perform a medical procedure called “Cardioversion”. As a group, we would like to explain why it is important to distinguish when cardioversion versus defibrillation will be used. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay According to the website heart.com, "Arrhythmias can produce a wide range of symptoms, from barely noticeable ones to cardiovascular collapse and death." There are several diagnostic tests used to confirm arrhythmias. We will also explain the two types of cardioversion procedures used to correct an irregular heartbeat and what happens before, during, and after cardioversion. We will discuss nursing implications, including patient education throughout the process of a cardioversion procedure. An arrhythmia is a change in the rhythm of the heartbeat. Arrhythmias are more serious if you have other heart problems. Cardioversion is a corrective procedure to change or convert an irregular heart rhythm to a normal sinus rhythm. This procedure is usually elective, the patient is awake but sedated, and a consent form must be signed before the procedure. According to the website heart.com, cardioversions are performed to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib) or atrial flutter (AFL) and non-life-threatening irregular rhythms in the upper part of the heart. It is also used in less urgent cases to try to bring the rhythm back to normal. Defibrillation is for immediately life-threatening arrhythmias, the patient has no pulse such as ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT). The goal for both is to deliver electrical energy to the heart to give a temporary shock to the heart allowing a normal sinus rhythm to be initiated via the normal cardiac pacemaker. In cases where an electrical shock is necessary, if the patient is stable and a QRS-t complex can be seen, synchronized cardioversion (LOW ENERGY) will be used. However, if the patient has no pulse or is unstable and the defibrillator does not synchronize, unsynchronized (HIGH ENERGY) cardioversion (defibrillation) will be used. Patients suffering from arrhythmias may be asystemic. When arrhythmias last long enough to affect the functioning of the heart, more serious symptoms such as syncope or episodes of near-fainting, chest pain, and fatigue may occur. In severe cases, collapse and sudden cardiac arrest may occur. Diagnostic tests used to confirm arrhythmia are chest x-rays, blood tests, exercise tests, and electrocardiograms. Please note: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay There are other tests or procedures used to determine arrhythmias; however, the electrocardiogram is the most common. The ECG is used to check for signs of heart disease. It is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart through small electrodes placed on the chest, arms and legs. The ECG diagnostic test is commonly used because it is reliable, fast, safe and painless.