ECG ECG Rhythm Interpretation

Question 1

What are the hallmark ECG findings of atrial fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

Irregularly irregular rhythm with absent P waves and fibrillatory baseline

Answer

Regular rhythm with peaked T waves

Answer

Wide QRS complexes with regular rhythm

Answer

Sawtooth pattern between QRS complexes

Question 2

How do you differentiate between ventricular tachycardia and supraventricular tachycardia with aberrancy?

Accepted Answer

VT shows AV dissociation, fusion/capture beats, and concordance; SVT with aberrancy usually has preceding P waves

Answer

Color of the ECG tracing

Answer

Patient's age alone

Answer

Heart rate alone determines the difference

Question 3

What does ST elevation on an ECG indicate?

Accepted Answer

Acute myocardial injury, most commonly from coronary artery occlusion causing a STEMI

Answer

Normal variant in all patients

Answer

Chronic stable angina

Answer

Pulmonary embolism always

Question 4

What are the three degrees of AV heart block?

Accepted Answer

First degree (prolonged PR), second degree (dropped beats), and third degree (complete dissociation between P waves and QRS)

Answer

Mild, moderate, and severe

Answer

Temporary, intermittent, and permanent

Answer

Left, right, and bilateral

Question 5

What ECG findings suggest hyperkalemia?

Accepted Answer

Tall peaked T waves, widened QRS, flattened P waves, and potentially sine wave pattern

Answer

Short QT interval

Answer

Prominent U waves

Answer

Deep Q waves

Question 6

What is the significance of a prolonged QT interval?

Accepted Answer

It increases the risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, particularly Torsades de Pointes

Answer

It indicates excellent cardiac health

Answer

It only occurs in athletes

Answer

It has no clinical significance