Question

When the nurse observes an electrocardiogram (ECG) tracing on a cardiac monitor with a pattern in lead II and observes a bizarre, abnormal shape to the QRS complex, the nurse has likely observed which of the following ventricular dysrhythmias?

a) Ventricular tachycardia
b) Ventricular bigeminy
c) Premature ventricular contraction (PVC)
d) Ventricular fibrillation

Answer 1

A bizarre, abnormal QRS complex in an ECG tracing, especially in lead II, indicates ventricular tachycardia, where rapid, abnormal heartbeats arise from the ventricles and present as abnormally wide and bizarre QRS complexes.

Step-by-step explanation:

When observing an electrocardiogram (ECG) where the QRS complex presents a bizarre, abnormal shape, particularly in lead II, the nurse is likely observing a ventricular arrhythmia known as ventricular tachycardia (VT). This condition is characterized by a series of three or more premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), which result in rapid heartbeats originating from the ventricles. In an ECG tracing, VT manifests as an abnormal, wide, and often bizarre-appearing QRS complex. Ventricular tachycardia can be distinguished from other arrhythmias such as ventricular bigeminy, where there is an alternating pattern of one normal beat and one PVC, or ventricular fibrillation, which features no discernible P waves, QRS complexes, or T waves and appears as a chaotic, irregular pattern on the ECG.