Deck 5: Regularity

Question 1

The second step of analyzing an ECG rhythm is to:

A) determine the heart rate.
B) evaluate the QRS complexes.
C) determine the regularity.
D) examine the P waves.

Answer 1

determine the regularity.

Question 2

The distance between consecutive R waves should:

A) vary from beat to beat.
B) be the same.
C) get progressively longer.
D) vary with respirations.

Answer 2

be the same.

Question 3

The distance between two consecutive P waves is referred to as the:

A) PR interval.
B) R-R interval.
C) P-P interval.
D) ST segment.

Answer 3

P-P interval.

Question 4

Which of the following methods used to determine the regularity of a rhythm, is among the most accurate and requires you to use a specific device?

A) 300, 150, 100, 75, 60, 50 method
B) marking a paper with a pen.
C) counting the number of small squares between each R-R interval.
D) using calipers.

Question 5

The paper and pen method of determining heart regularity:

A) is simple and quick.
B) is the most accurate
C) requires the use of ECG tracing paper.
D) requires you to count the number of small squares between consecutive QRS complexes.

Question 6

When the rhythm appears mostly regular but from time to time you see an area where it is irregular it is called __________ irregular.

A) regularly
B) totally
C) very
D) occasionally

Question 7

The areas of the ECG tracing which are the same and against which we can measure the other R-R intervals are called the:

A) foundation.
B) rhythm.
C) baseline.
D) normal aspect.

Question 8

Early beats:

A) appear in middle of the R-R interval.
B) come early in the cycle.
C) produce a lengthening in the R-R interval between the normal (preceding) beat and the premature beat.
D) arise from only the ventricles.

Question 9

A pause or arrest of the SA node:

A) is seen as a regular rhythm.
B) occurs when the SA node initiates an early impulse.
C) produces a sudden absence of a P wave, QRS complex and T wave in an otherwise normal looking rhythm.
D) produces a shorter than normal R-R interval because of the dropped beat.

Question 10

Frequent pauses in the firing of the SA node can:

A) lead to a bradycardic rate.
B) improve cardiac output
C) produce an occasionally irregular rhythm
D) be recognized by a regular pulse rate

Question 11

The rhythm is called slightly irregular when:

A) the P-P intervals and R-R varying just somewhat.
B) there is a cyclical pattern to the irregularity.
C) the rhythm seems to abruptly start and stop.
D) the rhythm varies from beat to beat.

Question 12

The term ________ is used to describe a dysrhythmia that has a sudden, rapid onset.

A) unexpected
B) reentrant
C) reflex
D) paroxysmal

Question 13

Early beats that occur every other (second) complex, every third complex or every fourth complex produce ________ irregularity.

A) slight
B) patterned
C) paroxysmal
D) varying

Question 14

When a rhythm speeds up and slows down in a rhythmic fashion it is referred to as _________ irregularity.

A) slight
B) frequent
C) patterned
D) profound

Question 15

The dysrhythmia that produces a totally irregular rhythm occurs due to:

A) a pause or arrest in the discharge of the SA node.
B) rapid, chaotic firing of the atria.
C) a pacemaker site that changes from beat to beat.
D) a blockage of the AV node.

Question 16

When the atrial to ventricular conduction ratio changes in various dysrhythmias it:

A) results in the rhythm being regularly irregular.
B) produces a regular rhythm.
C) is called totally irregular.
D) changes the distance between the R-R intervals producing an irregular rhythm.

Question 17

Your 29 year old patient has a heart rate of 76 BPM. Analysis of the ECG reveals an irregular rhythm with one upright P wave preceding each narrow QRS complex. The heart rate seems to speed up and slow down on a cyclical basis. This type of irregularity is called ________ irregularity.

A) totally
B) patterned
C) occasional
D) paroxysmal

Question 18

Your 100 year old patient has a heart rate of 70 BPM but then it suddenly accelerates to 180 BPM for a short time and then it goes back to the original rate. Analysis of the ECG reveals a regular rhythm with one upright P wave preceding each narrow QRS complex (until it suddenly accelerates). The fast heart rate shows wide QRS complexes without a P wave preceding them. This type of irregularity is called ________ irregularity.

A) totally
B) patterned
C) occasional
D) paroxysmal

Question 19

Your 50 year old patient has a heart rate of 110 BPM. Analysis of the ECG reveals an irregularly irregular rhythm with a chaotic looking baseline preceding each narrow QRS complex. This type of irregularity is called ________ irregularity.

A) totally
B) patterned
C) occasional
D) paroxysmal

Question 20

Your 71 year old patient has a heart rate of 50 BPM. Analysis of the ECG reveals an irregular rhythm with one and sometimes two upright P waves preceding each narrow QRS complex. This occurs in a cyclical basis. This type of irregularity is called ________ irregularity.

A) totally
B) patterned
C) occasional
D) paroxysmal

Question 21

Your 52 year old patient is complaining of chest pain and has a heart rate of 80 BPM. Analysis of the ECG reveals an irregular rhythm with several wide, bizarre-looking QRS complexes interrupting the underlying rhythm which has one upright P wave preceding each narrow QRS complex. This type of irregularity is called ________ irregularity.

A) totally
B) patterned
C) frequent
D) slight

Question 22

Normally the heart beats in a regular, rhythmic cycle, producing a P wave, QRS complex and T wave with each heart beat.

Question 23

Irregular rhythms always indicate the presence of a very serious condition.

Question 24

If the distance between the R-R intervals differs the ventricular rhythm is regular.

Question 25

On some ECG tracings the irregularity occurs so infrequently that you might not see it at first.

Question 26

Frequent early beats are likely to progress to very fast atrial, junctional or ventricular rates.

Question 27

A sudden, rapid acceleration in the heart rate can produce an irregularity in the rhythm.

Question 28

A totally irregular rhythm is one in which there is no consistency to the irregularity.

Question 29

Patterned irregularity is where the irregularity repeats over and over in a cyclic fashion.

Question 30

A pacemaker that changes location from site to site with each heart beat produces an occasionally irregular rhythm.