Beat Reading Heart Beat Reading 5

Question 1

A patient presents with a slow wide-complex rhythm at 35 bpm following cardiac arrest resuscitation. This is most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Idioventricular (agonal) rhythm

Answer

An idioventricular rhythm at 20-40 bpm with wide bizarre QRS and no P waves is an agonal rhythm seen in severe cardiac compromise.

Question 2

Delta waves on an ECG, combined with a short PR interval and wide QRS, are characteristic of:

Accepted Answer

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome

Answer

WPW syndrome is caused by an accessory pathway (Bundle of Kent) producing delta waves, a short PR interval, and widened QRS due to pre-excitation.

Question 3

When counting heart rate using the 'big block method' on an ECG, what sequence of numbers is used between consecutive R waves?

Accepted Answer

300, 150, 100, 75, 60, 50

Answer

The large-block method uses the sequence 300, 150, 100, 75, 60, 50 — counting large squares between R waves and matching to the nearest number.

Question 4

ST depression in leads V1-V4 may be a 'reciprocal change' indicating ST elevation (injury) in which area?

Accepted Answer

Posterior wall

Answer

Posterior MI is recognized on standard ECG as ST depression in V1-V4 (mirror image), since there are no direct posterior leads.

Question 5

A patient's ECG shows an RSR' pattern in V1 and wide S waves in leads I and V6. This pattern indicates:

Accepted Answer

Right bundle branch block

Answer

Right bundle branch block (RBBB) produces a classic RSR' ('rabbit ears') in V1 and wide, slurred S waves in leads I and V6.

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