All Human Anatomy and Physiology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Help With Evaluation Methods For The Heart
Multiple “sawtooth” P waves on an EKG suggest what pathology?
Atrial fibrillation
First degree atrioventricular (AV) block
Ventricular tachycardia
Atrial flutter
Premature ventricular contraction (PVC)
Atrial flutter
"Sawtooth" P waves are characteristic of atrial flutter.
Example Question #1 : Help With Evaluation Methods For The Heart
You are looking at your patient's EKG, and you suspect he may be experiencing a first degree atrioventricular (AV) block. What EKG findings would lead you to this conclusion?
Multiple QRS complexes prior to a P wave
“Sawtooth” shaped P waves
Multiple P waves prior to the QRS complex
Absent P wave
Prolonged P-R interval
Prolonged P-R interval
A prolonged P-R interval, that does not get progressively longer is typical of a type I A-V block.
Example Question #2 : Help With Evaluation Methods For The Heart
What does an inverted or absent P wave (as an early beat) represent?
Premature junctional/nodal beat
Premature ventricular contraction
Bundle branch block
Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
Premature atrial beat
Premature junctional/nodal beat
A premature junctional/nodal beat would be represented on an ECG as an inverted or absent P wave. In a premature junctional/nodal beat, the atrioventricular (AV) node is firing before the sinoatrial (SA) node. Since the AV node is at the bottom of the right atrium, the net vector of atrial depolarization is occurring in a more upward direction, causing the P wave to be absent or inverted. Note that there would be a compensatory pause after the premature beat.The answer could not be a premature atrial contraction because the P wave is absent or inverted (P wave would be normal in a premature atrial contraction (PAC)).
Example Question #3 : Help With Evaluation Methods For The Heart
Which of the following conditions is the most serious?
First degree AV block
Ventricular fibrillation
Bundle branch block
Third degree AV block
Atrial fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation is a very serious issue that requires immediate defibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation is the result of ventricular beats originating from many different automaticity foci, so the QRS looks squiggly, very fast, and incoherent. There are no P waves since the beats are originating in the ventricles.
Example Question #4 : Help With Evaluation Methods For The Heart
Which of the following is a difference between Bundle Branch Block (BBB) and a Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC)?
None of these
BBB has a P wave, PVC does not
PVC has a P wave, BBB does not
PVC has a wide QRS, PVC does not
BBB has a wide QRS, PVC does not
BBB has a P wave, PVC does not
A bundle branch block is a block in one of the bundle branches, causing a long QRS (>.10 seconds). It is different than a PVC in that a bundle branch block will show a P wave since the beats are still originating in the atria. Bundle Branch Blocks also tend to show a notched QRS.
Example Question #5 : Help With Evaluation Methods For The Heart
Which AV block is characterized by a longer than normal PR interval (of consistent length)?
Second Degree AV Block, Mobitz Type 2
All of these
Second Degree AV Block, Mobitz Type 1 (Wenckebach)
First Degree AV Block
Third Degree AV Block
First Degree AV Block
In First Degree AV Block, there is a longer than normal PR interval (>.20s) due to slowed AV node conduction. Second degree, Mobitz Type 1 (Wenckebach) is progressive lengthening of the PR interval followed by a dropped QRS. Second Degree, Mobitz Type 2 is sudden dropping of the QRS (no lengthening of PR interval). Third Degree AV Block is when there is no relationship between the P and the QRS.
Example Question #6 : Help With Evaluation Methods For The Heart
What is a normal PR interval length?
.22 seconds
.06 seconds
.10 seconds
.14 seconds
.24 seconds
.14 seconds
The normal PR interval length is .12 - .20 seconds. The PR interval represents the time lag from the onset of atrial depolarization to the onset of ventricular depolarization. Most of the time lag occurs in the AV node, and it allows atrial systole to occur. This allows the ventricles to have time to fill before ventricular systole.
Example Question #44 : Circulatory And Respiratory Systems
What is the criteria for tachycardia?
>120 beats/minute
>100 beats/minute
<80 beats/minute
>90 beats/minute
<60 beats/minute
>100 beats/minute
Tachycardia is an abnormally rapid heart rate of rate >100 beats per minute.
Example Question #7 : Help With Evaluation Methods For The Heart
Which of the following would warrant the most investigation by a health care professional?
Resting heart rate = 45 bpm, patient is an endurance athlete
Resting heart rate = 65 bpm, patient is not an endurance athlete
Resting heart rate = 65 bpm, patient is an endurance athlete
Resting heart rate = 45bpm, patient is not an endurance athlete
Resting heart rate = 60 bpm, patient is an endurance athlete
Resting heart rate = 45bpm, patient is not an endurance athlete
Bradycardia is defined as heart rate <60 bpm. In an endurance athlete, there tends to be higher stroke volume/higher vagal tone, so it is typical for an endurance athlete to have a resting heart rate below 60 and still meet normal cardiac output. It a non-endurance athlete, a resting heart rate of 45 bpm may warrant some investigation.
Example Question #8 : Help With Evaluation Methods For The Heart
Which of the following would be characteristic of congestive heart failure?
Ejection fraction <55%
Ejection fraction < 60%
Ejection fraction < 40%
Ejection fraction < 50%
Ejection fraction < 45%
Ejection fraction < 40%
Ejection fraction is a measurement of how much blood blood the ventricles pump out with each contraction as a fraction of the end-diastolic volume. Mathematically, this is (stroke volume) divided by (end-diastolic volume). In congestive heart failure, the heart is weakened and quivers, and it has a hard time pumping blood out. An ejection fraction (EF) < 40% may be evidence of congestive heart failure.
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