LATEST CARDIAC RHYTHM

Cardiac Rhythm Quick Reference Sheet Skill #2: Differentiate a regular rhythm from an irregular rhythm In the example at left, the top rhythm is regular because the distance between each QRS complex is roughly consistent (look at the green stars). The bottom rhythm is irregular because there is no consistency in the distance between each QRS complex (look at the red stars) Skill #3: Identify the basic waves of an ECG strip and know what they indicate P Wave: QRS Complex: T Wave: Represents atrial depolarization (AKA when the atria “squeeze” or “contract” to pump blood into the ventricles) Represents ventricular depolarization (AKA when the ventricles “squeeze” or “contract” to pump oxygenated blood to the body and deoxygenated blood to the lungs) Represents ventricular repolarization (AKA, when the ventricles “relax” and fill back up with the blood being pumped in from the atria)