Common Arrhythmias (+ ECG interpretations)

Question 1

What will an ECG of someone with sinus rhythm (normal) look like?

Answer 1

All p waves are followed by a QRS wave

Rate is regular and normal

Question 2

What will an ECG of someone with sinus bradycardia look like?

Answer 2

All p waves are followed by QRS complexes

Rate is regular but slow

Question 3

What will an ECG of someone with sinus tachycardia look like?

Answer 3

All p waves followed by QRS complexes

Rate is regular but fast

Question 4

What will an ECG of someone with sinus arrhythmia look like?

Answer 4

All p waves followed by a QRS complex, rate is regular but normal ish, R-R interval varies

Question 5

What will an ECG of someone with atrial fibrillation look like?

Answer 5

There is an oscillating baseline, rhythm is irregular and rate is slow

Question 6

What will an ECG of someone with atrial flutter look like?

Answer 6

There is a saw tooth pattern in the base line, atrial to ventricular beat ratio is 2:1, 3:1 or higher

Question 7

What does atrial fibrillation increase risk of and why?

Answer 7

Blood clots due to turbulent flow

Question 8

What will an ECG of someone with first degree heart block look like?

Answer 8

Prolonged PR interval is issue is with slow AV conduction

There is regular rhythm and normal ratio of p waves to qrs complexes

Question 9

What will an ECG of someone with second degree heart block (mobitz I) look like?

Answer 9

Gradually prolonged PR interval until a beat is skipped, so most p waves are followed by a qrs complex but some arent

Question 10

What will an ECG of someone with second degree heart block (mobitz II) look like?

Answer 10

P waves are regular but only some are followed by a qrs complex

Question 11

What will an ECG of someone with third degree heart block look like?

Answer 11

P waves and QRS complexes are regular but there is no connection between them

Question 12

What will an ECG of someone with ventricular tachycardia look like?

Answer 12

P waves are hidden

Rate is regular and fast

Question 13

What will an ECG of someone with V fib look like?

Answer 13

Heart rate is irregular and very very fast

Question 14

What will an ECG of someone with ST elevation look like?

Answer 14

ST segment is elevated over 2mm above the isoelectric line, P waves are visible and always followed by a QRS complex

Question 15

What will an ECG of someone with ST depression look like?

Answer 15

ST segment is depressed over 2mm below the isoelectric line, P waves are visible and always followed by a QRS complex

Question 16

Which arrhythmias are shockable?

Answer 16

Ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation