Rhythm InterpretationQuestion 19 of 100
A monitor alarms and the strip shows a regular wide-complex rhythm at 170 beats per minute with no visible P waves. The patient is unresponsive. What rhythm is displayed?
a.Supraventricular tachycardia
b.Ventricular tachycardia
c.Atrial flutter
d.Sinus tachycardia with a bundle branch block
Explanation
Ventricular tachycardia is three or more consecutive PVCs at a rate above 100, appearing as a regular run of wide, uniform complexes without P waves, and it is a lethal rhythm when the patient has no pulse. Supraventricular tachycardia is narrow. Atrial flutter shows sawtooth waves, and while a rate-related bundle branch block can widen a sinus tachycardia, an unresponsive patient with this tracing must be treated as ventricular tachycardia and help summoned at once.
Practice all 100 questions free — no signup required.
Related questions on this topic
- 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?
- What is the inherent rate range of the AV junction when it functions as the heart's pacemaker?
- A sinus rhythm strip contains a single early beat that is wide and bizarre, has no preceding P wave, and has a T wave that points opposite to the QRS. What is the beat?
- A telemetry strip suddenly shows chaotic, irregular waves of varying height with no identifiable P waves, QRS complexes, or T waves. What should the technician do first?
- A monitor shows a nearly flat line with no waveforms in two different leads and the patient is unresponsive with no pulse. What is this rhythm?
- A strip shows wide QRS complexes at a regular rate of 32 beats per minute with no P waves. What is this rhythm called?
Last reviewed: · editorial process
PrepPass Editorial Team · Verified against NHA Certified EKG Technician (CET) Exam · How we review