Question

An EKG technician is reviewing EKG tracings of a patient who has ventricular hypertrophy (enlarged ventricle). Which of the following findings should the technician expect?

a) Narrow QRS complexes
b) Tall R waves in the precordial leads
c) Absence of T waves
d) Increased atrial fibrillation

Answer 1

An EKG technician should expect tall R waves in the precordial leads on an ECG tracing of a patient with ventricular hypertrophy, due to the increased muscle mass of the ventricles.

Step-by-step explanation:

An EKG technician reviewing tracings of a patient with ventricular hypertrophy should expect to see certain characteristic changes on their ECG. Specifically, the changes include tall R waves in the precordial leads, which is a reflection of the increased mass of the ventricular muscle. The large QRS complex on the ECG represents the depolarization of the ventricles, and this electrical signal is stronger with larger ventricular muscle mass, thus leading to taller R waves. It is also important to note that T waves may appear flatter when there is insufficient oxygen delivery to the myocardium, but they are not necessarily absent. Furthermore, ventricular hypertrophy does not directly cause increased atrial fibrillation; this would be more indicative of atrial abnormalities.