ECG rhythms UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Normal Sinus Rhythm - CORRECT ANSWER - 60-100 bpm
all complexes normal and evenly spaced (P, QRS, T)
Sinus Arrest - CORRECT ANSWER - - SA node doesn't fire
- notice absence of P-wave for a complete cycle (a missed cycle)
Sinus arrhythmia - CORRECT ANSWER - all complexes normal but rhythmically irreg
- normal finding (esp in young pts) that has to do with breathing (rate: inhale-increase, exhale-
decrease)
Sinus Bradycardia - CORRECT ANSWER - <60
normal sinus rhythm
Sinus Tachycardia - CORRECT ANSWER - >100 (100-150)
normal sinus rhythm
Wandering atrial pacemaker - CORRECT ANSWER - Hint: try never to pick this
- impulse originate from varying points in atria
- variation in P wave contour, PR-I, PP-I and thus RR-I
P wave vs T wave - CORRECT ANSWER - P generally smaller than T
MAT (multifocal atrial tachy) - CORRECT ANSWER - - impulse originates at diff places
in atria so P waves diff and intervals might not be consistent
- assoc w/ severe pulm dz
, Atrial Fibrillation - CORRECT ANSWER - A: 350-450 (atria quivering)
- irreg-irreg rhythm (R-RI=irreg)
**unsure/no P-wave (non-distinguishable)**
- irreg rhythm BUT reg QRS!
Danger: increase the risk of thromboemoblic events don't convert unless occurring less than 48
hrs, if don't know pt need to be put on thrombolytics)
Atrial Flutter - CORRECT ANSWER - A: 250-350
- "saw tooth" p-waves
- a continuous rapid sequence of atrial complexes from a single rapid-firing atrial focus
(hint: if see 2 P waves and QRS think A Flutter)
Junctional Escape beats - CORRECT ANSWER - retrograde atrial depolarization
P' is inverted
Junctional rhythm - CORRECT ANSWER - 40-60 Regular!
-impulse from AV node w/ retro/antegrade transmission
- P wave often inverted/buried/follow QRS
- slow rate
- narrow QRS (not wide like ventricular)
Junctional Tachycardia - CORRECT ANSWER - >60 bpm (ms. K; 150-250)
- KEY: will be regular (consistent)
- AV junction produces a rapid sequence of QRS-T cycles
- p-wave often inverted/buried/follow QRS
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Normal Sinus Rhythm - CORRECT ANSWER - 60-100 bpm
all complexes normal and evenly spaced (P, QRS, T)
Sinus Arrest - CORRECT ANSWER - - SA node doesn't fire
- notice absence of P-wave for a complete cycle (a missed cycle)
Sinus arrhythmia - CORRECT ANSWER - all complexes normal but rhythmically irreg
- normal finding (esp in young pts) that has to do with breathing (rate: inhale-increase, exhale-
decrease)
Sinus Bradycardia - CORRECT ANSWER - <60
normal sinus rhythm
Sinus Tachycardia - CORRECT ANSWER - >100 (100-150)
normal sinus rhythm
Wandering atrial pacemaker - CORRECT ANSWER - Hint: try never to pick this
- impulse originate from varying points in atria
- variation in P wave contour, PR-I, PP-I and thus RR-I
P wave vs T wave - CORRECT ANSWER - P generally smaller than T
MAT (multifocal atrial tachy) - CORRECT ANSWER - - impulse originates at diff places
in atria so P waves diff and intervals might not be consistent
- assoc w/ severe pulm dz
, Atrial Fibrillation - CORRECT ANSWER - A: 350-450 (atria quivering)
- irreg-irreg rhythm (R-RI=irreg)
**unsure/no P-wave (non-distinguishable)**
- irreg rhythm BUT reg QRS!
Danger: increase the risk of thromboemoblic events don't convert unless occurring less than 48
hrs, if don't know pt need to be put on thrombolytics)
Atrial Flutter - CORRECT ANSWER - A: 250-350
- "saw tooth" p-waves
- a continuous rapid sequence of atrial complexes from a single rapid-firing atrial focus
(hint: if see 2 P waves and QRS think A Flutter)
Junctional Escape beats - CORRECT ANSWER - retrograde atrial depolarization
P' is inverted
Junctional rhythm - CORRECT ANSWER - 40-60 Regular!
-impulse from AV node w/ retro/antegrade transmission
- P wave often inverted/buried/follow QRS
- slow rate
- narrow QRS (not wide like ventricular)
Junctional Tachycardia - CORRECT ANSWER - >60 bpm (ms. K; 150-250)
- KEY: will be regular (consistent)
- AV junction produces a rapid sequence of QRS-T cycles
- p-wave often inverted/buried/follow QRS
