EKG Interpretation & Waveforms Flashcards
6 cards from real EKG certification Certification practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 EKG Interpretation & Waveforms flashcards as text
A patient's EKG shows a regular narrow-complex tachycardia at 150 bpm with a sawtooth pattern in leads II, III, and aVF. What is the MOST likely rhythm?
Answer: Atrial flutter with 2:1 block
A regular narrow-complex tachycardia at exactly 150 bpm with sawtooth flutter waves is the hallmark of atrial flutter with 2:1 conduction.
Which EKG finding differentiates ventricular tachycardia from supraventricular tachycardia with aberrant conduction?
Answer: Presence of AV dissociation
AV dissociation, where atrial and ventricular activity are independent, is a strong indicator of ventricular tachycardia rather than SVT with aberrancy.
In a second-degree AV block Type II (Mobitz II), what is the expected pattern of PR intervals before a dropped QRS?
Answer: Constant PR intervals with sudden dropped QRS
Mobitz Type II block shows constant PR intervals with sudden unexpected failure of conduction, resulting in a dropped QRS without prior PR prolongation.
An EKG shows ST elevation in leads V1-V4 with reciprocal ST depression in leads II, III, and aVF. Which coronary artery is MOST likely occluded?
Answer: Left anterior descending artery
ST elevation in V1-V4 indicates an anterior wall STEMI, which is caused by occlusion of the left anterior descending artery.
What is the significance of pathological Q waves on an EKG?
Answer: They represent prior myocardial infarction with transmural necrosis
Pathological Q waves (wider than 0.04 seconds or deeper than one-third the R wave height) indicate prior transmural myocardial infarction with permanent tissue death.
A patient on digoxin therapy presents with an EKG showing a downsloping ST segment with a scooped appearance. What does this finding represent?
Answer: Digitalis effect, which is an expected pharmacologic change
The characteristic scooped or Salvador Dali mustache-shaped ST depression is a normal pharmacologic effect of digoxin and does not indicate toxicity.