In a small dog, a fluctuating heart rate is described by which medical term?

In a small dog, a fluctuating heart rate is described by which medical term?

• A. Auscultation
• B. Bradycardia
• C. Arrhythmia
• D. Tachypnea

Answer: (C)

An irregular heart rhythm is described as arrhythmia. When a heart rate fluctuates, the intervals between beats aren’t steady, which signals that the electrical rhythm driving the heart is not regular. Arrhythmia is the umbrella term for these rhythm disturbances, covering everything from occasional irregular beats to more complex conduction problems. In contrast, auscultation is simply listening to the heart sounds, bradycardia means a slower-than-normal heart rate, and tachypnea refers to rapid breathing, not the rhythm of the heart. (Note: some healthy dogs show a normal variation called sinus arrhythmia linked to breathing, but the general term for fluctuating rhythm remains arrhythmia.)

An irregular heart rhythm is described as arrhythmia. When a heart rate fluctuates, the intervals between beats aren’t steady, which signals that the electrical rhythm driving the heart is not regular. Arrhythmia is the umbrella term for these rhythm disturbances, covering everything from occasional irregular beats to more complex conduction problems. In contrast, auscultation is simply listening to the heart sounds, bradycardia means a slower-than-normal heart rate, and tachypnea refers to rapid breathing, not the rhythm of the heart. (Note: some healthy dogs show a normal variation called sinus arrhythmia linked to breathing, but the general term for fluctuating rhythm remains arrhythmia.)