The patient's heart rhythm shows an inverted P wave with a PR interval of 0.06 seconds.The heart rate is 54 beats per minute.The nurse recognizes the rhythm as a junctional escape rhythm,and understands that the rhythm is due to the:
A) loss of sinus node activity.
B) increased rate of the AV node.
C) increased rate of the SA node.
D) decreased rate of the AV node.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Junctional escape rhythm occurs when the dominant pacemaker,the SA node,fails to fire.The normal heart rate of the AV node is 40 to 60 beats per minute,so the AV node rate has neither increased nor decreased.An increased SA node rate would override the AV node.

The Patient's Heart Rhythm Shows an Inverted P Wave with a PR