What do those letters mean?
This wave represents atrial depolarization or contraction.
What is a P wave?
This is known as the heart's pacemaker.
What is the SA node?
All 5 steps of rhythm interpretation are within normal limits for this rhythm.
What is normal sinus rhythm?
The risk for this rhythm increases in those 65 and older and a common manifestation is palpitations
What is Afib or Atrial Fibrillation?
If the SA node and AV node fail. These two areas have an intrinsic rate of 30-40 and 15-30 respectively. These patients will need intervention.
What is Bundle of His and Purkinje fibers?
This interval is the time it takes for an electrical impulse to travel from the atria to the ventricles.
What is a PR interval?
This rhythm has a rate of less than 60 and the patient is usually stable. The patient may be an athlete or in good health.
What is sinus bradycardia?
This rhythm is irregularly irregular.
What is atrial fibrillation?
In this rhythm it is possible to have a couplet or run
What is PVC or Premature Ventricle Contraction?
This rhythm has no P wave or QRS. The ventricles are quivering. The heart is not pumping.
What is ventricular fibrillation?
This complex represents ventricular depolarization and contraction.
What is QRS?
This rhythm's rate is typically 100-150 and caused by a physiological response like dehydration, anxiety or exercise.
What is sinus tachycardia?
This rhythm has a sawtooth atrial pattern between QRS complexes.
What is atrial flutter?
In this rhythm the P wave is unable to be identified and PR interval is unable to be measured.
What is PAC or Premature Atrial Contraction?
What is a PVC?
This segment represents the time between the end of ventricular depolarization and the start of ventricular repolarization.
This node has an intrinsic rate of 40-60 beats per minute.
What is the AV node?
In this rhythm the P waves are regular and the QRSs are regular, but they have nothing to do with each other. The QRS can appear slow and widened and there may be more P waves than QRS complexes.
What is 3rd degree or complete heart block?
This rhythm is typically uniform with each complex appearing uniform. The rate is extremely fast, and the patient may or may not have a pulse.
What is ventricular tachycardia?
This occurs when electrical signals that make the heartbeat are delayed in the heart's electrical system.
What is a bundle branch block?
This wave represents ventricular repolarization.
What is a T wave?
This rhythm does not have a rate.
What is asystole?
A patient has no electrical activity on the monitor with this rhythm
What is asystole?
This rhythm is treated with defibrillation
What is VFIB?
A nurse should monitor this when the patient has a pacemaker
What is HR or any signs of device failure?