Rhythm InterpretationQuestion 16 of 100
A strip shows a regular rhythm at 45 beats per minute with narrow QRS complexes and inverted P waves appearing immediately after each QRS. What is this rhythm?
a.Sinus bradycardia
b.Idioventricular rhythm
c.First-degree AV block
d.Junctional escape rhythm
Explanation
When the junction takes over as pacemaker, the atria depolarize backward, so the P wave is inverted and may fall before, during, or after the QRS; at 40 to 60 beats per minute this is a junctional escape rhythm. Sinus bradycardia has upright P waves before the QRS. An idioventricular rhythm has wide QRS complexes at 20 to 40, and first-degree AV block has upright P waves with a long PR interval.
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Related questions on this topic
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