ekg rhythms

Question 1

Normal Sinus Rhythm

Answer 1

rhythm: regular
atrial rate: 60-100 bpm
ventricular rate: 60-100 bpm
P wave: present
PR interval: 0.12-0.20 s
QRS complex: <0.12s
Notes: –

Question 2

Sinus Bradycardia

Answer 2

rhythm: regular
atrial rate: <60 bpm
ventricular rate: <60 bpm
P wave: present
PR interval: normal
QRS complex: normal
Notes:

Question 3

Sinus Tachycardia

Answer 3

rhythm: regular
atrial rate: >100 bpm
ventricular rate: >100 bpm
P wave: present
PR interval: normal
QRS complex: normal
Notes:

Question 4

sinus arrhythmia

Answer 4

rhythm: irregular
atrial rate: usually 60-100
ventricular rate: usually 60-100
P wave: present
PR interval: normal
QRS complex: normal
Notes: <60 = sinus bradyarrhythmia; >100 = sinus tachyarrhythmia

Question 5

atrial fibrillation (a-fib)

Answer 5

rhythm: irregular
atrial rate: 300-600 bpm
ventricular rate: variable
P wave: NONE - fibrillating baseline
PR interval: N/A
QRS complex: normal
Notes: QT cannot be determined many times; if rapid ventricular “A-fib RVR”

Question 6

atrial flutter (A-flutter)

Answer 6

rhythm: atrium = regular; ventricle = reg or irreg
atrial rate: 240-300 bpm
ventricular rate: variable
P wave: none - F waves (>2!!)
PR interval: N/A
QRS complex: often normal, can be wider
Notes: QT cannot be determined many times; if rapid ventricular “A-flutter RVR”

Question 7

Premature Atrial Complex (PAC)

Answer 7

rhythm: irregular (underlying regular)
atrial rate: underlying rhythm rate
ventricular rate: underlying rhythm rate
P wave: PAC: DO NOT MATCH (early, differ shape, or hidden)
PR interval: PAC - normal
QRS complex: normal, less than 0.12; COMES EARLY
Notes:

Question 8

Premature Ventricular Complex (PVC)

Answer 8

rhythm: irregular
atrial rate: underlying rhythm rate
ventricular rate: underlying rhythm rate
P wave: usually absent
PR interval: N/A
QRS complex: greater than .12, comes early
Notes: T wave often opposite of QRS

Question 9

Ventricular tachycardia (V-tach)

Answer 9

rhythm: regular
atrial rate: 110-250 bpm
ventricular rate: 110-250 bpm
P wave: lost in QRS
PR interval: not measurable
QRS complex: wife >.12
Notes: pt may or may not be unconscious

Question 10

Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib)

Answer 10

rhythm: irregular
atrial rate: none
ventricular rate: cannot be determined (300-600 bpm)
P wave: none
PR interval: none
QRS complex: none – fibrillating
Notes: will lead to death

Question 11

asystole

Answer 11

rhythm: none
atrial rate: none
ventricular rate: none
P wave: none
PR interval: none
QRS complex: none
Notes: straight line