HCA EKG INTERPRETATION EXAM QUESTIONS 2025\26 |
GUARANTEED ACCURATE ANSWERS |LATEST VERSION -
COMPLETE
• Are not classic “P-wave” rhythms, if equal/consistent/nonvarying P-waves are
easily identified then the rhythm is NOT atrial in origin
• Atrial rhythms are routinely fast
• Ventricular rates can be controlled (<100) or uncontrolled (>100)
• Ventricular responses and rates can reach up to 220 – 240 ppm
Atrial Rhythms • Ventricular regularity can be regular or irregular, depending on the rhythm:
- AFib, WAP & MAT = ALWAYS IRREGULAR
- Aflutter = Regular or Irregular
- SVT/PSVT, ATach = ALWAYS REGULAR
• QRS-complexes can be Narrow (<0.12 sec) or Wide (>0.12 sec). This is measured using
the ECG paper (<0.12 = less than 3 small boxes; <0.12 = greater than 3 small boxes)
, • A-Fib: Atria Rate >350 – 500; Ventricular Rate >220 – 240 ppm
• A-Flutter: Atrial Rate >250 – 450; Ventricular Rate >220 – 240 ppm
• Atrial Tachycardia: Atria > 220 – 240; Ventricular Rate = Atrial Rate (1:1 ratio)
Atrial Rhythms & Associated Rates • Supraventricular Tachycardia: >150 – 160 ppm, even upwards of 220 – 240 ppm;
Ventricular Rate = Atrial Rate (1:1 ratio)
• Wandering Atrial Pacemaker (WAP): Atrial Rate <100 ppm; Ventricular Rate = Atrial Rate
• Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia (MAT): Atrial Rate >100 ppm; Ventricular Rate = Atrial Rate
Atrial ectopy (not a rhythm) similar to an ill timed
hiccup within the atria, or the atria playing a game
Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC)
of interrupting cow.
Wavy and chaotic baseline, noted overall irregularity,
AFib QRS complexes can be 'wide' or 'narrow'
Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)
Narrow QRS Complex <0.12 seconds (3 small boxes)
Wide QRS Complex >0.12 seconds (3 small boxes)
Consistent atrial depolarization waves creating
"flutter" or "saw-tooth" appearance on baseline.
Atrial Flutter (A-Flutter) Can be regular or irregular.
QRS complexes can be 'wide' or 'narrow'
Different ratios (2:1, 3:1, 4:1) possible
Atrial Tachycardia is caused when abnormal electrical
signals inersect with signals coming from the SA node.
It can prevent the heart from filling normally and
Atrial Tachycardia (A-Tach) refuse the overall blood flow out of the heart due
to rapid rate.
'Teeny-tiny' P's noted, FAST rate, narrow complexes
and REGULAR
Abnormal heart rhythm arising from aberrant electrical
activity in the heart; originates at or above the AV
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
node No P's noted, FAST rate, narrow complexes
and REGULAR
GUARANTEED ACCURATE ANSWERS |LATEST VERSION -
COMPLETE
• Are not classic “P-wave” rhythms, if equal/consistent/nonvarying P-waves are
easily identified then the rhythm is NOT atrial in origin
• Atrial rhythms are routinely fast
• Ventricular rates can be controlled (<100) or uncontrolled (>100)
• Ventricular responses and rates can reach up to 220 – 240 ppm
Atrial Rhythms • Ventricular regularity can be regular or irregular, depending on the rhythm:
- AFib, WAP & MAT = ALWAYS IRREGULAR
- Aflutter = Regular or Irregular
- SVT/PSVT, ATach = ALWAYS REGULAR
• QRS-complexes can be Narrow (<0.12 sec) or Wide (>0.12 sec). This is measured using
the ECG paper (<0.12 = less than 3 small boxes; <0.12 = greater than 3 small boxes)
, • A-Fib: Atria Rate >350 – 500; Ventricular Rate >220 – 240 ppm
• A-Flutter: Atrial Rate >250 – 450; Ventricular Rate >220 – 240 ppm
• Atrial Tachycardia: Atria > 220 – 240; Ventricular Rate = Atrial Rate (1:1 ratio)
Atrial Rhythms & Associated Rates • Supraventricular Tachycardia: >150 – 160 ppm, even upwards of 220 – 240 ppm;
Ventricular Rate = Atrial Rate (1:1 ratio)
• Wandering Atrial Pacemaker (WAP): Atrial Rate <100 ppm; Ventricular Rate = Atrial Rate
• Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia (MAT): Atrial Rate >100 ppm; Ventricular Rate = Atrial Rate
Atrial ectopy (not a rhythm) similar to an ill timed
hiccup within the atria, or the atria playing a game
Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC)
of interrupting cow.
Wavy and chaotic baseline, noted overall irregularity,
AFib QRS complexes can be 'wide' or 'narrow'
Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)
Narrow QRS Complex <0.12 seconds (3 small boxes)
Wide QRS Complex >0.12 seconds (3 small boxes)
Consistent atrial depolarization waves creating
"flutter" or "saw-tooth" appearance on baseline.
Atrial Flutter (A-Flutter) Can be regular or irregular.
QRS complexes can be 'wide' or 'narrow'
Different ratios (2:1, 3:1, 4:1) possible
Atrial Tachycardia is caused when abnormal electrical
signals inersect with signals coming from the SA node.
It can prevent the heart from filling normally and
Atrial Tachycardia (A-Tach) refuse the overall blood flow out of the heart due
to rapid rate.
'Teeny-tiny' P's noted, FAST rate, narrow complexes
and REGULAR
Abnormal heart rhythm arising from aberrant electrical
activity in the heart; originates at or above the AV
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
node No P's noted, FAST rate, narrow complexes
and REGULAR
