Kaiser South Rhythm Interpretation Assessment | KP Rhythm
Interpretation Assessment | 50 Questions and Answers | Fall 2025/26
Update | 100% Correct.
SA node - 60-100 bpm
Av node - 40-60 bpm
Purkinje fibers - 20-40 bpm
depolarization - electrical excitation of the cell membrane normally followed by mechanical contraction
repolarization - return of the cell membrane to its resting state normally followed by mechanical
relaxation
PR interval - 0.12-0.20
QRS interval - 0.06-0.11
QT interval - 0.44-0.48 depending on rate
nursing responsibilities - print/measure/interpret rhythm strips, get a 12 lead EKG for any rhythm
changes, get a set of VS for any rhythm changes, know when to notify MD
Sinus Arrhythmia - rate is normal but speeds and slows with respiration (rhythm is irregular)
Treatment: asymptomatic - nothing, symptomatic - treat and find the underlying cause (digoxin toxicity
or MI)
, Sinus Bradycardia - Treatment: if S/S are present give atropine 0.5 mg - if unsuccessful then do an
external/transvenous pacemaker
- hold drugs that decrease HR: digoxin, beta blockers
Sinus Tachycardia - Rate of 100-150
Treatment: treat the underlying cause
PACs - Treatment: rarely treated, observe and document the frequency and the patient's condition
Atrial Flutter - rhythm is usually regular and looks like a saw tooth (can be 2:1, 3:1 and so on)
Treatment: control the rate (betablockers, diltiazem, verapamil, dig) can use amiodarone to
control/convert and anticoagulants
- rule of thumb - if symptomatic do synchronized cardioversion (50-100J)
Atrial Fibrillation - rate is highly irregular, p waves are absent.
Treatment: is treated when producing instability and there are signs/symptoms - immediate
synchronized cardioversion of 120-200J
-control rate (same as aflutter)
SVT - narrow complex tachycardia, rate usually greater than 150
Treatment: stable - vagal maneuvers and adenosine
unstable - synchronized cardioversion
PSVT - sudden onset (starts and stops suddenly) rate of 160-250
Treatment: stable - vagal maneuvers, adenosine
unstable - synchronized cardioversion
Junctional Rhythm - rate 40-60 bpm, narrow QRS, inverted or buried P waves which is caused by sinus
being too slow with AV blocks
Interpretation Assessment | 50 Questions and Answers | Fall 2025/26
Update | 100% Correct.
SA node - 60-100 bpm
Av node - 40-60 bpm
Purkinje fibers - 20-40 bpm
depolarization - electrical excitation of the cell membrane normally followed by mechanical contraction
repolarization - return of the cell membrane to its resting state normally followed by mechanical
relaxation
PR interval - 0.12-0.20
QRS interval - 0.06-0.11
QT interval - 0.44-0.48 depending on rate
nursing responsibilities - print/measure/interpret rhythm strips, get a 12 lead EKG for any rhythm
changes, get a set of VS for any rhythm changes, know when to notify MD
Sinus Arrhythmia - rate is normal but speeds and slows with respiration (rhythm is irregular)
Treatment: asymptomatic - nothing, symptomatic - treat and find the underlying cause (digoxin toxicity
or MI)
, Sinus Bradycardia - Treatment: if S/S are present give atropine 0.5 mg - if unsuccessful then do an
external/transvenous pacemaker
- hold drugs that decrease HR: digoxin, beta blockers
Sinus Tachycardia - Rate of 100-150
Treatment: treat the underlying cause
PACs - Treatment: rarely treated, observe and document the frequency and the patient's condition
Atrial Flutter - rhythm is usually regular and looks like a saw tooth (can be 2:1, 3:1 and so on)
Treatment: control the rate (betablockers, diltiazem, verapamil, dig) can use amiodarone to
control/convert and anticoagulants
- rule of thumb - if symptomatic do synchronized cardioversion (50-100J)
Atrial Fibrillation - rate is highly irregular, p waves are absent.
Treatment: is treated when producing instability and there are signs/symptoms - immediate
synchronized cardioversion of 120-200J
-control rate (same as aflutter)
SVT - narrow complex tachycardia, rate usually greater than 150
Treatment: stable - vagal maneuvers and adenosine
unstable - synchronized cardioversion
PSVT - sudden onset (starts and stops suddenly) rate of 160-250
Treatment: stable - vagal maneuvers, adenosine
unstable - synchronized cardioversion
Junctional Rhythm - rate 40-60 bpm, narrow QRS, inverted or buried P waves which is caused by sinus
being too slow with AV blocks
