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Which of the following is false regarding the ST segment on a resting electrocardiogram?

A) Represents the time between ventricular depolarization and repolarization
B) Elevation can indicate myocardial infarction
C) Should be at baseline (isolectric)
D) Changes in shape may indicate ischemia

User Hunteros
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Final answer:

The false statement about the ST segment is that it represents the time between ventricular depolarization and repolarization. Instead, it actually occurs when the ventricles are depolarized after the QRS complex and before the T wave.

Step-by-step explanation:

The false statement regarding the ST segment on a resting electrocardiogram (ECG) is: 'Represents the time between ventricular depolarization and repolarization.' This is not correct because the ST segment actually represents the period of time when the ventricles are depolarized, which is after the ventricular depolarization has occurred as seen in the QRS complex but before ventricular repolarization represented by the T wave. On an ECG, the ST segment should be at baseline (isoelectric), and any deviation from this baseline could indicate a pathological condition. Elevation of the ST segment can be a sign of an acute myocardial infarction (MI), while changes in the shape of the ST segment may indicate myocardial ischemia, the condition in which there is insufficient oxygen being delivered to the myocardium.

User David Ruan
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