The Electrocardiogram

Question 1

graphic representation of the heart’s electrical activity as detected from the chest wall surface

Answer 1

The electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG

Question 2

Each heartbeat, or mechanical contraction of the heart, has 2 distinct components of electrical activity:

Answer 2

depolarization & repolarization

Question 3

the first, in which electrical charges of the heart muscles change from positive to negative and cause heart muscle CONTRACTION

Answer 3

Depolarization

Question 4

the second, in which the electrical charges of the heart muscle return to a positive charge and cause RELAXATION of the heart muscle

Answer 4

Repolarization

Question 5

the first waveform of the ECG and represents the depolarization (contraction) of the atria

Answer 5

P wave

Question 6

the second waveform and represents the depolarization (contraction) of the ventricles and the main contraction of the heart

Answer 6

QRS complex

Question 7

third waveform and represents the repolarization (relaxation) of the ventricles

Answer 7

T wave

Question 8

calculated from the beginning of the P wave to the beginning of the QRS complex. It represents the time it takes the heart’s electrical impulse to travel from the atria to the ventricles

Answer 8

PRI

Question 9

regularly paced peaks of electrical activity

Answer 9

normal sinus rhythm

Question 10

uncoordinated firing of electrical ventricular impulses are called

Answer 10

premature ventricular complexes (PVCs)

Question 11

When PVCs occur in succession, which shows up on a ECG as steep peaks and valleys that are very close together

Answer 11

ventricular tachycardia (V-Tach)

Question 12

shows up on an ECG as smaller, uneven, disorganized peaks and valleys.

Answer 12

ventricular fibrillation (VF or V-Fib)

Question 13

regularly paced peaks should occur between ___ & ___ times a minute

Answer 13

60 & 100