Basic Dysrhythmias
1. EKG paper is divided into small squares and larger squaresAns: Large squares are
defined by a dark line. They are 5 squares high and 5 squares long (0.20 seconds)
Small squares may be lines or may be dots within the dark lines. They are 0.04 seconds
every mark below EKG grid is 3sec
2. ArtifactAns: EKG waveforms from sources outside the heart
Interference seen on a monitor or EKG strip
4 causes
Patient movement (i.e. pt. with tremors)
Loose or defective electrodes (fuzzy baseline)
Improper grounding (60 cycle interference) Faulty
EKG apparatus
3. Normal PR and QRS interval lengthsAns: PR Interval: .12-.20 seconds QRS In
val: < .12 seconds
4. Origin of RhythmsAns: They are named for the structure of the heart where the foci (a
cell sending off an electrical impulse) is located that is producing the abnormal rhythm
Sinus (Sinus node)
Junctional (Area between the atria & ventricles)
Ventricular (any cell in the ventricles)
Atrial (any cell in the atria)
AV Blocks (AV node blocking some or all of the passage of electricity through it)
5. Sinus Arrhythmia (SA)Ans: Normal except irregular
The difference between the fastest two heart beats (from 1 QRS to the next QRS) and the
slowest two heart beats is greater than .12 sec
1/
13
, 6. AsystoleAns: No electrical
activity CODE BLUE
but it does arise from the SA node??
7. Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)Ans: Normal rhythm, but...No Pulse* Electrical
activity is present but there is no pulse, so the heart is not beating! Something has
happened to prevent the muscular tissue from responding to the electrical activity
(i.e. “‘ K+, hypothermia, Pneumothorax, cardiac tampanode, hypovolemia, drug over- dose,
pulmonary or coronary thrombosis)
8. Rhythms arising from the SA NodeAns: Sinus Rhythm
Sinus Tachycardia
2/
13
1. EKG paper is divided into small squares and larger squaresAns: Large squares are
defined by a dark line. They are 5 squares high and 5 squares long (0.20 seconds)
Small squares may be lines or may be dots within the dark lines. They are 0.04 seconds
every mark below EKG grid is 3sec
2. ArtifactAns: EKG waveforms from sources outside the heart
Interference seen on a monitor or EKG strip
4 causes
Patient movement (i.e. pt. with tremors)
Loose or defective electrodes (fuzzy baseline)
Improper grounding (60 cycle interference) Faulty
EKG apparatus
3. Normal PR and QRS interval lengthsAns: PR Interval: .12-.20 seconds QRS In
val: < .12 seconds
4. Origin of RhythmsAns: They are named for the structure of the heart where the foci (a
cell sending off an electrical impulse) is located that is producing the abnormal rhythm
Sinus (Sinus node)
Junctional (Area between the atria & ventricles)
Ventricular (any cell in the ventricles)
Atrial (any cell in the atria)
AV Blocks (AV node blocking some or all of the passage of electricity through it)
5. Sinus Arrhythmia (SA)Ans: Normal except irregular
The difference between the fastest two heart beats (from 1 QRS to the next QRS) and the
slowest two heart beats is greater than .12 sec
1/
13
, 6. AsystoleAns: No electrical
activity CODE BLUE
but it does arise from the SA node??
7. Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)Ans: Normal rhythm, but...No Pulse* Electrical
activity is present but there is no pulse, so the heart is not beating! Something has
happened to prevent the muscular tissue from responding to the electrical activity
(i.e. “‘ K+, hypothermia, Pneumothorax, cardiac tampanode, hypovolemia, drug over- dose,
pulmonary or coronary thrombosis)
8. Rhythms arising from the SA NodeAns: Sinus Rhythm
Sinus Tachycardia
2/
13
