Heart Rhythm Strip Cheat Sheet Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the RAPID method, rhythm classification, heart blocks, and quick ID clues from the heart rhythm strip cheat sheet.

RAPID Method

A systematic approach to reading heart rhythm strips: R (Rate), A (Axis), P (P waves), I (PR interval), and D (QRS duration).

Normal Heart Rate

$60-100$ beats per minute.

P waves (RAPID Method)

A check to see if P waves are present and if they maintain a $1:1$ ratio with the QRS complex.

Normal PR interval

$0.12-0.20\,\text{sec}$.

Narrow QRS duration

<0.12\,\text{sec}, indicating a supraventricular origin.

Wide QRS duration

>0.12\,\text{sec}, indicating a ventricular origin (such as VT or VF).

Irregularly irregular pattern

A key clue identifying Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib).

Sawtooth pattern

A key clue identifying Atrial Flutter.

Regular rhythms

Pattern category that includes Sinus, SVT, and VT.

1st degree Heart Block

Characterized by a long PR interval.

2nd degree Heart Block Type I

Characterized by a PR interval that gets longer and longer until a QRS is dropped.

2nd degree Heart Block Type II

Characterized by random drops of the QRS complex.

3rd degree Heart Block

Characterized by no P-QRS relation.

SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia)

A fast, narrow rhythm.

VT (Ventricular Tachycardia)

A wide, fast rhythm that should be assumed whenever a fast and wide pattern is present.

V-fib (Ventricular Fibrillation)

A chaotic rhythm identification.

Normal Sinus Rhythm

A rhythm identified by the presence of a P wave before every QRS complex.

Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib)

An irregular rhythm characterized by the absence of P waves.