EKG Rhythms: Practice Flashcards

Study Notes

Sinus Rhythms

Sinus Rhythm: Normal rhythm; regular rate, P waves before each QRS complex.
Sinus Tachycardia: Elevated heart rate (usually over 100 bpm) with normal P waves; indicates increased demand or stimulation.
Sinus Bradycardia: Heart rate below 60 bpm, regular rhythm; can be normal in athletes or indicate bradyarrhythmias.
Sinus Dysrhythmia: Irregular sinus rhythm associated with respiratory patterns; normal in young adults.
Sinus Block/Sinus Arrest: Interruption in the sinus node's pacing; can lead to missed beats.

Atrial Rhythms

Sinus Rhythm w/Premature Atrial Contractions: Early beats from atrial ectopic focus, usually benign.
Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia slowing to Sinus Rhythm: Tachycardia starting suddenly and returning to normal rhythm.
Atrial Flutter: Rapid, organized atrial depolarization (sawtooth pattern), often seen in heart disease.
Atrial Fibrillation: Chaotic electrical activity in the atria; irregularly irregular rhythm, risk of thromboembolism.

Junctional Rhythms

Junctional Rhythm: Impulses originating from the AV junction; absent or inverted P waves, often bradycardic.
Accelerated Junctional Rhythm: Junctional rhythm with a rate of 61-100 bpm; can be post-ischemic.
Sinus Rhythm w/Premature Junctional Contractions: Early beats from the junction; may have absent or inverted P waves.

Ventricular Rhythms

Sinus Rhythm w/Unifocal Premature Ventricular Contractions: Irregular beats originating from a single ectopic ventricular focus.
Sinus Rhythm w/Multifocal Premature Ventricular Contractions: Multiple ectopic ventricular foci; varied morphology of PVCs.
Sinus Rhythm w/Premature Ventricular Contractions (Bigeminy): Occurrence of PVCs every other beat.
Ventricular Tachycardia: Three or more consecutive beats originating from the ventricles; potentially life-threatening.
Ventricular Fibrillation: Disorganized electrical activity, leading to ineffective contraction; requires immediate intervention.

Other Conditions

R-on-T Phenomenon: PVC occurs on the T wave of a preceding beat; risk for lethal rhythms.
Ventricular Fibrillation from R-on-T Phenomenon: Life-threatening arrhythmia that may develop from R-on-T events.
Fine Ventricular Fibrillation: Low amplitude disorganized electrical activity; difficult to distinguish from asystole.
Coarse Ventricular Fibrillation: Higher amplitude fibrillation waves; still requires urgent intervention.
Artifact: Distortion of EKG signals from multiple sources; must be identified to avoid misinterpretation.

AV Blocks

Sinus Rhythm w/First Degree AV Block: Prolonged PR interval (>200 ms); typically asymptomatic.
Second Degree AV Block Mobitz Type I (Wenckebach): Progressive PR interval lengthening followed by a dropped QRS; usually benign.
Second Degree AV Block Mobitz Type II: Constant PR interval with intermittent dropped QRS; more concerning than Type I.
Third Degree AV Block (Complete Heart Block): No communication between atria and ventricles; requires pacemaker intervention.

Miscellaneous

Idioventricular Rhythm: Ventricular pacing, typically slow (20-40 bpm) with a wide QRS complex; may occur in severe bradycardia.
Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia (Wandering Atrial Pacemaker): Variation in P wave shape; rate generally above 100 bpm.

Description

Test your knowledge of various EKG rhythms with these practice flashcards. Each card features a specific rhythm, such as sinus rhythm, tachycardia, and more. Perfect for nursing students and healthcare professionals looking to enhance their EKG interpretation skills.