For every strip:
• ID all P waves
• ID all QRS complexes
o Mark your “isoelectric line”
• Ask: Do P waves “match” with QRS complexes?
• Figure out P-P interval and atrial rate
o Is it consistent?
• Figure out R-R interval and atrial rate
o Is is consistent?
• Measure all PRI, QRS and QTI
Part 1: Rhythms that have P waves
On a test, ask: are P waves present?
If the answer is YES, it must be one of the following:
Sinus rhythms
✓ P waves present
✓ QRS present
✓ Everything “matches”
✓ Atrial and ventricular rates are the same
✓ All intervals WNL
o HR may or may not be normal
Circle All the P waves. What is the
Are all P Waves Present?
YES or NO Circle all the QRS HR? Measure
complexes.
Do P waves and QRS all intervals:
match? YES or NO Find P-P
intervals and atrial rate. Are they all WNL? YES or NO
Are they all the same? YES If answers to all questions are YES, you are
or NO in NSR!
This study source was downloaded by 100000903071754 from CourseHero.com on 01-09-2026 10:58:09 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/88446595/Rhythm-Interpretationdocx/
, Circle All the P waves. What is the
Are all P Waves Present? HR? Measure
YES or NO Circle all the QRS all intervals:
complexes. PR:
Do P waves and QRS QRS:
match? YES or NO Find P-P QT:
intervals and atrial rate. Are they all WNL? YES or NO
Are they all the same? YES
or NO
This study source was downloaded by 100000903071754 from CourseHero.com on 01-09-2026 10:58:09 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/88446595/Rhythm-Interpretationdocx/
, First degree HB
✓ P waves present
✓ QRS present
✓ Everything “matches”
✓ Atrial and ventricular rates are the same
✓ PRI > 0.16 – this is usually the only thing wrong!
o All other intervals normal
o HR typically WNL or < 50 bpm
Circle All the P waves. What is the
Are all P Waves Present? HR? Measure
YES or NO Circle all the QRS all intervals:
complexes. PR:
Do P waves and QRS QRS:
match? YES or NO Find P-P QT:
intervals and atrial rate. Are they all WNL? YES or NO
Are they all the same? YES
or NO
Circle All the P waves. intervals and atrial rate.
Are all P Waves Present? Are they all the same? YES or NO
YES or NO Circle all the QRS
complexes.
Do P waves and QRS
match? YES or NO Find P-P
This study source was downloaded by 100000903071754 from CourseHero.com on 01-09-2026 10:58:09 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/88446595/Rhythm-Interpretationdocx/
• ID all P waves
• ID all QRS complexes
o Mark your “isoelectric line”
• Ask: Do P waves “match” with QRS complexes?
• Figure out P-P interval and atrial rate
o Is it consistent?
• Figure out R-R interval and atrial rate
o Is is consistent?
• Measure all PRI, QRS and QTI
Part 1: Rhythms that have P waves
On a test, ask: are P waves present?
If the answer is YES, it must be one of the following:
Sinus rhythms
✓ P waves present
✓ QRS present
✓ Everything “matches”
✓ Atrial and ventricular rates are the same
✓ All intervals WNL
o HR may or may not be normal
Circle All the P waves. What is the
Are all P Waves Present?
YES or NO Circle all the QRS HR? Measure
complexes.
Do P waves and QRS all intervals:
match? YES or NO Find P-P
intervals and atrial rate. Are they all WNL? YES or NO
Are they all the same? YES If answers to all questions are YES, you are
or NO in NSR!
This study source was downloaded by 100000903071754 from CourseHero.com on 01-09-2026 10:58:09 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/88446595/Rhythm-Interpretationdocx/
, Circle All the P waves. What is the
Are all P Waves Present? HR? Measure
YES or NO Circle all the QRS all intervals:
complexes. PR:
Do P waves and QRS QRS:
match? YES or NO Find P-P QT:
intervals and atrial rate. Are they all WNL? YES or NO
Are they all the same? YES
or NO
This study source was downloaded by 100000903071754 from CourseHero.com on 01-09-2026 10:58:09 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/88446595/Rhythm-Interpretationdocx/
, First degree HB
✓ P waves present
✓ QRS present
✓ Everything “matches”
✓ Atrial and ventricular rates are the same
✓ PRI > 0.16 – this is usually the only thing wrong!
o All other intervals normal
o HR typically WNL or < 50 bpm
Circle All the P waves. What is the
Are all P Waves Present? HR? Measure
YES or NO Circle all the QRS all intervals:
complexes. PR:
Do P waves and QRS QRS:
match? YES or NO Find P-P QT:
intervals and atrial rate. Are they all WNL? YES or NO
Are they all the same? YES
or NO
Circle All the P waves. intervals and atrial rate.
Are all P Waves Present? Are they all the same? YES or NO
YES or NO Circle all the QRS
complexes.
Do P waves and QRS
match? YES or NO Find P-P
This study source was downloaded by 100000903071754 from CourseHero.com on 01-09-2026 10:58:09 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/88446595/Rhythm-Interpretationdocx/
