DC Dysrhythmia ECG Monitoring & Analysis 3

Question 1

On a standard ECG, each small box on the horizontal axis represents how much time at standard paper speed?

Accepted Answer

0.04 seconds

Answer

At the standard paper speed of 25 mm/second, each small (1 mm) box on the horizontal axis equals 0.04 seconds.

Question 2

A patient's rhythm strip shows sawtooth flutter waves at 300 bpm with a ventricular rate of 75 bpm. What AV conduction ratio is present?

Accepted Answer

4:1

Answer

An atrial rate of 300 bpm with a ventricular rate of 75 bpm yields a 4:1 conduction ratio (300 ÷ 75 = 4).

Question 3

Which of the following is the MOST dangerous complication associated with an uncorrected prolonged QT interval?

Accepted Answer

Torsades de pointes

Answer

Torsades de pointes, a polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, is the life-threatening dysrhythmia directly associated with prolonged QT intervals.

Question 4

An ECG strip shows wide QRS complexes (0.14 sec) with a right bundle branch block pattern and no visible P waves. The rate is 42 bpm. This most likely represents:

Accepted Answer

Idioventricular rhythm

Answer

A ventricular escape rhythm at 20–40 bpm with wide bizarre QRS complexes and absent P waves is characteristic of idioventricular rhythm.

Question 5

When analyzing a 6-second rhythm strip, you count 9 QRS complexes. What is the approximate heart rate?

Accepted Answer

90 bpm

Answer

Multiplying the number of complexes in 6 seconds by 10 gives the rate: 9 × 10 = 90 bpm.

(DC) Dysrhythmia Certification Practice Test

(DC) Dysrhythmia Certification Practice Test

DC Dysrhythmia ECG Monitoring & Analysis 3