Final answer:
A compensatory pause is the pause that occurs after an ectopic beat in which the SA node is unaffected and the cadence of the heart is uninterrupted.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pause that occurs after an ectopic beat in which the SA node is unaffected and the cadence of the heart is uninterrupted is called a compensatory pause.
During a compensatory pause, the SA node, which is responsible for initiating the normal electrical pattern and contraction of the heart, continues to function normally. However, the ectopic beat interrupts the normal cadence of the heart, resulting in a temporary pause before the next beat.
An example of a compensatory pause is when a premature ventricular contraction (PVC) occurs. After the PVC, the heart takes a brief pause before resuming its regular rhythm.