While admitting a patient to the emergency department, the nurse observes the cardiac monitor and identifies the following rhythm: one inverted P wave for every QRS complex and a regular heart rate of 46 beats per minute. How would the nurse interpret this rhythm?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A heart rate of 46 beats per minute is below the normal range, and the presence of an inverted P wave indicates that the pacemaker is located in the AV junction rather than the SA node. This is characteristic of a junctional escape rhythm. Mobitz II heart block would typically have intermittent dropped beats, and complete heart block would have a complete dissociation between P waves and QRS complexes. Normal sinus rhythm would have a heart rate within the normal range (60-100 beats per minute) and upright P waves preceding each QRS complex.

While Admitting a Patient to the Emergency Department, the Nurse