Cardiac Rhythm Review

First degree heart block characteristic

• Short PR-interval (<120 ms)

• Normal PR-interval (120-200 ms)

• Long PR-interval (>200 ms)

• Variable PR-interval

Step #1: Rate=

• Most dysrhythmias have rate criteria.

• All dysrhythmias are asymptomatic.

• Dysrhythmias are always life-threatening.

• Dysrhythmias can only occur in older adults.

QRS morphology

• Normal range is 60-120 ms.

• Normal range is 40-60 ms.

• Normal range is 120-150 ms.

• Normal range is 150-180 ms.

Characterized by a saw-toothed or picket fence pattern with regular F-waves.

• Atrial flutter pattern

• Ventricular tachycardia

• Atrial fibrillation

• Normal sinus rhythm

Sinus bradycardia =

• A heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute.

• A heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute.

• A heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute.

• An irregular heartbeat pattern.

What is the inherent rate of the Purkinje System in idioventricular rhythm?

• 60-80 bpm

• 40-60 bpm

• 20-40 bpm

• 80-100 bpm

Rate categories for junctional rhythms, based on HR

• Junctional escape rhythm: 40-60 bpm

• Accelerated junctional rhythm: 60-100 bpm

• Junctional tachycardia: 101-150 bpm

• Sinus bradycardia: 30-50 bpm

What is the rate and characteristic of agonal rhythm?

• Agonal rhythm is very wide with a rate of less than 20 bpm.

• Agonal rhythm is narrow with a rate of 60-100 bpm.

• Agonal rhythm is irregular with a rate of 40-60 bpm.

• Agonal rhythm is fast with a rate of more than 100 bpm.

Types of life-threatening dysrhythmias

• Ventricular fibrillation

• Atrial fibrillation

• Ventricular tachycardia

• Complete Heart Block

This describes a characteristic of junctional dysrhythmias.

• Inverted P-wave before or after the QRS complex or no P-wave because it’s “buried” in the QRS.

• Presence of tall, peaked T-waves in the ECG.

• Wide QRS complexes with a rate of 120-200 bpm.

• Regular rhythm with a P-wave preceding each QRS complex.