EKG 101

Question 1

SA node

Answer 1

pacemaker of the heart and where the cardiac conduction pathway begins

Question 2

AV node

Answer 2

“HOLDS” onto the impulse for a short period of time so that the atrium can contract before the ventricles

Question 3

P wave

Answer 3

represents “ATRIAL” depolarization as electricity travels from the SA node to the AV node

Question 4

R wave

Answer 4

represents electrical activity travelling from the AV node, down the Bundle of His

Question 5

S wave

Answer 5

the EKG represents electrical activity travelling “up” the purkinje fiber

Question 6

The QRS complex

Answer 6

represents ventricular depolarization.

Question 7

T wave

Answer 7

repolarization of the heart

Question 8

The PR segment

Answer 8

the “time” that the AV node is holding onto the impulse

Question 9

The ST segment

Answer 9

the “time” between ventricular depolarization and the heart repolarizing

Question 10

Function of the Bundle of His

Answer 10

runs through the interventricular septum to quickly get the impulse
to the bottom of the heart

Question 11

Function of the Purkinje fibers

Answer 11

wrap up both sides of the ventricles and cause them to contract
from bottom to top to squeeze blood into the pulmonary vein and aorta

Question 12

The AV node is located in the

Answer 12

Atria (junction)

Question 13

1st degree AV block

Answer 13

consistently prolonged PR interval with no dropped beats (no intermediate intervention needed)

Question 14

2nd degree Type 1 block

Answer 14

Also called a Wenckebach block or Mobitz Type 1 block

Question 15

2nd degree Type 1 AV block

Answer 15

ever elongating PR interval and then dropped beat (no intermediate intervention needed)

Question 16

2nd degree Type 2 AV block

Answer 16

consistent PR interval with dropped beats (treat only symptomatic with pacemaker )

Question 17

3rd degree AV block

Answer 17

complete AV node failure not a weakening. consistent P waves and consistent QRS complexes with no correlation between them (pacemaker usually installed for symptomatic cases)

Question 18

Bundle branch block

Answer 18

wide QRS complex and can make STEMI identification difficult (no intervention needed)

Question 19

The AV nodes purpose is to:

Answer 19

Delay conduction into the ventricles

Question 20

The AV nodes action is displayed on the EKG as the:

Answer 20

PR interval

Question 21

Clinically significant, unstable AV blocks are often treated prehospitally with:

Answer 21

Transcutaneous pacing

Question 22

What does Automaticity refer to?

Answer 22

refers to the heart’s cells all having the ability to depolarize and generate electrical impulses (usually takes place if the SA node fails- safety measure)

Question 23

Describe Junctional rhythms

Answer 23

inverted or absent P waves with narrow QRS complexes

40-60 BPM

Question 24

Describe Ventricular rhythms

Answer 24

wide QRS complexes

20-40 BPM

Question 25

Determine Rate

Answer 25

determined by counting the QRS complexes in a six second strip and multiplying by 10

Question 26

What does a Prolonged PR interval represent?

Answer 26

a block in the AV node

Question 27

ST segment elevation or depression gives a clue in which?

Answer 27

a possible myocardial ischemia or infarction

Question 28

3 types of rhythms

Answer 28

1. Sinus (60-100 bpm)
   * Upright P wave
   * Narrow QRS
2. Junctional (40-60 bpm)
   * Inverted or absent P wave
   * Narrow QRS
3. Ventricular (20-40 bpm)
   * No P wave
   * Wide QRS

Question 29

3 types of rhythms

Answer 29

1. Sinus
   * Upright P wave
   * Narrow QRS
2. Junctional
   * Inverted or absent P wave
   * Narrow QRS
3. Ventricular
   * No P wave
   * Wide QRS

Question 30

5 Steps of EKG Interpretation

Answer 30

1. Rate (speed of the rhythm)
2. Rhythm regular vs. irregular) measure time between beets
3. presence of P waves (inverted, PR- interval length, elongated
4. The Width of the QRS complex
5. ST elevation (infarction) or depression (ischemia)

Question 31

The three “neighborhoods” a rhythm can be generated from are:

Answer 31

1. Sinus Rhythm
2. Junctional Rhythm
3. Ventricular Rhythm

Question 32

True or False:

A fib is worse than V fib?

Answer 32

false