Question

When evaluating an ECG strip of a patient on a telemetry unit, the nurse notices the patient is having premature

ventricular contractions (PVCs). What criterion on the ECG strip does the nurse use to evaluate the presence
of PVCs?
A. An indiscernible PR interval
B. P waves that appear erratic
C. P waves that have a saw tooth configuration
D. A QRS complex followed by a compensatory pause

Answer 1

A nurse identifies premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) on an ECG strip by looking for an abnormal QRS complex followed by a compensatory pause, which is indicative of interrupted normal heart rhythm due to a PVC.

Step-by-step explanation:

When evaluating an ECG strip for the presence of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), the nurse looks for a QRS complex followed by a compensatory pause. PVCs are characterized by an early and abnormal QRS complex, which is typically wide and not preceded by a P wave. The compensatory pause occurs because the PVC typically interrupts the normal heart rhythm, leading to a pause until the next regular heartbeat initiates.

In the case of PVCs, you won't see the usual P wave associated with normal atrial depolarization, or it may appear after the PVC. The PR interval is often irrelevant in the context of a PVC as the P wave can be absent or not associated with the premature QRS complex. Therefore, the nurse would not use An indiscernible PR interval, P waves that appear erratic, nor P waves that have a saw tooth configuration to identify PVCs on the ECG strip.