Rhythm InterpretationQuestion 22 of 100
A strip shows wide QRS complexes at a regular rate of 32 beats per minute with no P waves. What is this rhythm called?
a.Idioventricular rhythm
b.Junctional escape rhythm
c.Sinus bradycardia
d.Agonal artifact
Explanation
When the ventricles become the pacemaker of last resort, they fire at their inherent rate of 20 to 40 beats per minute and produce wide complexes without P waves, which is an idioventricular rhythm. A junctional escape rhythm runs 40 to 60 with narrow complexes. Sinus bradycardia has upright P waves and narrow QRS complexes, and this tracing is an organized rhythm rather than artifact.
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