Kaiser South Rhythm Interpretation Assessment
Actual Exam 2026/2027 – Complete 50 Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
SECTION A: Sinus Rhythms & Sinus Arrhythmias (8 Questions)
Q1: A telemetry monitor shows a regular rhythm with a rate of 72 bpm. Each QRS
complex is preceded by an upright P wave, the PR interval measures 0.16 seconds, and
the QRS duration is 0.08 seconds. Which rhythm is present?
A. Sinus bradycardia
B. First-degree AV block
C. Normal sinus rhythm [CORRECT]
D. Junctional rhythm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Normal sinus rhythm criteria include rate 60–100 bpm, regular rhythm,
upright P wave before each QRS, PR interval 0.12–0.20 seconds, and QRS duration
<0.12 seconds. All criteria are met. Sinus bradycardia would require a rate <60 bpm,
first-degree AV block requires PR >0.20 seconds, and junctional rhythm would not have
upright P waves preceding each QRS.
,Q2: A 24-year-old marathon runner is admitted for dehydration. His telemetry strip
shows a regular rhythm at 52 bpm with upright P waves before each QRS, a PR interval
of 0.14 seconds, and narrow QRS complexes. He is asymptomatic and his blood
pressure is 118/72 mmHg. Which rhythm is present?
A. Normal sinus rhythm
B. Sinus bradycardia [CORRECT]
C. Junctional escape rhythm
D. Third-degree AV block
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sinus bradycardia is defined as a sinus rhythm with a rate <60 bpm, regular
rhythm, upright P waves, and normal PR interval. This is common in athletes and during
sleep. It is not junctional because upright P waves precede each QRS with a normal PR
interval, and it is not third-degree AV block because every P wave is conducted.
Q3: A postoperative patient has a fever of 101.2°F and reports severe incisional pain.
The telemetry strip shows a regular rhythm at 118 bpm with upright P waves, PR interval
0.15 seconds, and narrow QRS complexes. Which rhythm is present?
A. Supraventricular tachycardia
B. Sinus tachycardia [CORRECT]
C. Atrial flutter
D. Ventricular tachycardia
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Sinus tachycardia is a sinus rhythm with a rate >100 bpm, regular, with
upright P waves and normal PR interval. The rate of 118 bpm and presence of upright P
waves distinguish it from SVT (rate usually >150 bpm), atrial flutter (sawtooth waves),
and ventricular tachycardia (wide QRS).
Q4: A telemetry strip shows a rhythm that is slightly irregular. The R-R interval varies by
more than 0.12 seconds, the rate is 68 bpm, upright P waves are present before each
QRS, and the PR interval is normal. Which rhythm is present?
A. Normal sinus rhythm
B. Sinus arrhythmia [CORRECT]
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. Sinus tachycardia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sinus arrhythmia is characterized by a phasic variation in R-R interval >0.12
seconds with maintained upright P waves and normal PR intervals. It is not atrial
fibrillation because P waves are clearly present and the rhythm is not irregularly
irregular, and it is not normal sinus rhythm because the R-R interval varies beyond the
normal range.
Q5: Using the 300 method, a telemetry strip shows 4 large boxes between consecutive R
waves. What is the ventricular rate?
A. 120 bpm
B. 100 bpm
, C. 75 bpm [CORRECT]
D. 60 bpm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The 300 method calculates rate by dividing 300 by the number of large boxes
between R waves. 300 ÷ 4 = 75 bpm. Four large boxes would indicate 75 bpm, not 120
(2.5 boxes), 100 (3 boxes), or 60 (5 boxes).
Q6: A nurse counts 12 QRS complexes on a 6-second rhythm strip. What is the
estimated ventricular rate?
A. 60 bpm
B. 72 bpm
C. 100 bpm
D. 120 bpm [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The 6-second strip method multiplies the number of QRS complexes by 10.
12 QRS complexes × 10 = 120 bpm. This is a standard rate calculation method used
when the rhythm is irregular or the strip length is limited.
Q7: Which of the following criteria is essential for the diagnosis of normal sinus rhythm?
A. Rate between 50 and 90 bpm
B. PR interval between 0.12 and 0.20 seconds [CORRECT]
Actual Exam 2026/2027 – Complete 50 Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
SECTION A: Sinus Rhythms & Sinus Arrhythmias (8 Questions)
Q1: A telemetry monitor shows a regular rhythm with a rate of 72 bpm. Each QRS
complex is preceded by an upright P wave, the PR interval measures 0.16 seconds, and
the QRS duration is 0.08 seconds. Which rhythm is present?
A. Sinus bradycardia
B. First-degree AV block
C. Normal sinus rhythm [CORRECT]
D. Junctional rhythm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Normal sinus rhythm criteria include rate 60–100 bpm, regular rhythm,
upright P wave before each QRS, PR interval 0.12–0.20 seconds, and QRS duration
<0.12 seconds. All criteria are met. Sinus bradycardia would require a rate <60 bpm,
first-degree AV block requires PR >0.20 seconds, and junctional rhythm would not have
upright P waves preceding each QRS.
,Q2: A 24-year-old marathon runner is admitted for dehydration. His telemetry strip
shows a regular rhythm at 52 bpm with upright P waves before each QRS, a PR interval
of 0.14 seconds, and narrow QRS complexes. He is asymptomatic and his blood
pressure is 118/72 mmHg. Which rhythm is present?
A. Normal sinus rhythm
B. Sinus bradycardia [CORRECT]
C. Junctional escape rhythm
D. Third-degree AV block
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sinus bradycardia is defined as a sinus rhythm with a rate <60 bpm, regular
rhythm, upright P waves, and normal PR interval. This is common in athletes and during
sleep. It is not junctional because upright P waves precede each QRS with a normal PR
interval, and it is not third-degree AV block because every P wave is conducted.
Q3: A postoperative patient has a fever of 101.2°F and reports severe incisional pain.
The telemetry strip shows a regular rhythm at 118 bpm with upright P waves, PR interval
0.15 seconds, and narrow QRS complexes. Which rhythm is present?
A. Supraventricular tachycardia
B. Sinus tachycardia [CORRECT]
C. Atrial flutter
D. Ventricular tachycardia
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Sinus tachycardia is a sinus rhythm with a rate >100 bpm, regular, with
upright P waves and normal PR interval. The rate of 118 bpm and presence of upright P
waves distinguish it from SVT (rate usually >150 bpm), atrial flutter (sawtooth waves),
and ventricular tachycardia (wide QRS).
Q4: A telemetry strip shows a rhythm that is slightly irregular. The R-R interval varies by
more than 0.12 seconds, the rate is 68 bpm, upright P waves are present before each
QRS, and the PR interval is normal. Which rhythm is present?
A. Normal sinus rhythm
B. Sinus arrhythmia [CORRECT]
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. Sinus tachycardia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sinus arrhythmia is characterized by a phasic variation in R-R interval >0.12
seconds with maintained upright P waves and normal PR intervals. It is not atrial
fibrillation because P waves are clearly present and the rhythm is not irregularly
irregular, and it is not normal sinus rhythm because the R-R interval varies beyond the
normal range.
Q5: Using the 300 method, a telemetry strip shows 4 large boxes between consecutive R
waves. What is the ventricular rate?
A. 120 bpm
B. 100 bpm
, C. 75 bpm [CORRECT]
D. 60 bpm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The 300 method calculates rate by dividing 300 by the number of large boxes
between R waves. 300 ÷ 4 = 75 bpm. Four large boxes would indicate 75 bpm, not 120
(2.5 boxes), 100 (3 boxes), or 60 (5 boxes).
Q6: A nurse counts 12 QRS complexes on a 6-second rhythm strip. What is the
estimated ventricular rate?
A. 60 bpm
B. 72 bpm
C. 100 bpm
D. 120 bpm [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The 6-second strip method multiplies the number of QRS complexes by 10.
12 QRS complexes × 10 = 120 bpm. This is a standard rate calculation method used
when the rhythm is irregular or the strip length is limited.
Q7: Which of the following criteria is essential for the diagnosis of normal sinus rhythm?
A. Rate between 50 and 90 bpm
B. PR interval between 0.12 and 0.20 seconds [CORRECT]
