EKG Basics

The nurse is assessing the client’s electrocardiography (ECG). What does the P wave on the ECG tracing represent?

• Contraction of the atria

• Contraction of the ventricles

• Depolarization of the atria

• Depolarization of the ventricles

The nurse is reviewing a patient’s electrocardiogram. Which wave should the nurse recognize as being the first positive wave in a normal cardiac cycle?

• P wave

• Q wave

• R wave

• S wave

A patient is experiencing electrocardiogram changes. Which wave should the nurse recognize as representing ventricular repolarization?

• Q wave

• R wave

• S wave

• T wave

A patient is admitted for diagnosis of an electrocardiogram abnormality. Which wave should the nurse plan care based upon changes in the patient’s ventricular depolarization?

• P wave

• QRS complex

• U wave

• T wave

Where does ventricular depolarization occur?

• A

• B, C, & D

• E

• C and D

A medical assistant is preparing to perform an EKG recording on a patient. Which of the following information is true of limb leads and electrodes?

• Limb leads are unipolar

• Leads V1 through V6 are limb leads

• Limb leads are placed on the fleshly areas of the skin

• The left leg wire serves as the ground

which is the best description

• multiple p waves

• Sinus rhythm - also known as regular sinus rhythm (RSR) or normal sinus rhythm (NSR) - is the most common adult rhythm with rates between 60-100/minute.

• a prolonged PR interval of more than .20 seconds.

• The presence of PVCs may be benign but can indicate irritable ventricles. PVCs arrive earlier than expected and is usually wide

Identify the true statement about this ECG strip

• Atrial fibrillation is a chaotic rhythm with recognizable QRS complexes. The chaotic rhythm pattern and the absence of P waves are the hallmarks of this dysrhythmia.The chaotic baseline - known as fibrillatory waves

• multiple p waves and atrial flutter symptoms

• The presence of PVCs may be benign but can indicate irritable ventricles. PVCs arrive earlier than expected and is usually wide (.12 seconds or more)

• Significant characteristics of this rhythm are: 1) lonely P waves - P wave without an accompanied QRS complex; and 2) chaotic PR intervals

Where does atrial depolarization occur?

• A

• B, C, and D

• E

• C and D

what statement is true about the ECG

• this is a normal sinus rhythm

• this is a irregular rhythm

• this is a display of several different QRS events

• This is tachycardia