Question

An extended period of time between the P wave and the QRS complex may indicate which of the following?

A. The signal is taking too long to get to the AV node.
B. The signal is traveling too quickly to the AV node.
C. Ventricular contraction is taking longer than usual.
D. Ventricular contraction is faster than usual.
E. The atria are not contracting.

Answer 1

A prolonged period between the P wave and the QRS complex on an ECG indicates a third-degree block, where ventricular contraction is delayed due to a lack of synchronization between the atria and ventricles.

Step-by-step explanation:

A prolonged period of time between the P wave and the QRS complex on an ECG may indicate a third-degree block, where there is no correlation between atrial activity (the P wave) and ventricular activity (the QRS complex).

In a third-degree block, some of the impulses initiated by the SA node do not reach the AV node, resulting in the absence of the QRS complex following the P wave.

This condition suggests that ventricular contraction is delayed as the electrical signals between the atria and ventricles are not properly synchronized.