EKG Quiz 5

What does the cardiac axis represent during ventricular contraction?

The overall direction of the heart’s electrical depolarization as viewed in the frontal plane.

What is considered a normal axis for the cardiac EKG?

The normal axis should point down and to the left, approximately -30 to +120 degrees or 0 to +90 degrees.

What are the three types of axis deviations?

Left Axis Deviation (LAD), Right Axis Deviation (RAD), and Extreme Right Axis Deviation (ERAD).

How do you determine the cardiac axis using the quadrant method?

Evaluate the QRS complex in Lead I and Lead aVF to see if they are positive, negative, or equiphasic.

What causes axis shifts towards hypertrophy?

The axis shifts towards the hypertrophied area.

What happens to the axis during a myocardial infarction?

The axis shifts away from the infarcted (electrically dead) area.

What is the best test to detect myocardial hypertrophy?

Echocardiogram.

What is a key EKG finding for Right Atrial Abnormality (RAA)?

Abnormally tall P wave (> 2.5 mm), often peaked (P pulmonale).

What is the hallmark EKG finding for Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH)?

R wave in aVL > 11 mm.

What are the characteristics of hyperkalemia on an EKG?

Tall peaked T waves, wide bizarre QRS complexes, decreased P-wave amplitude, and can progress to AV blocks.

What EKG changes are associated with hypokalemia?

Flattened T waves, ST depression, increased U waves, and prolonged QTc interval.

What is the specific triad associated with pericardial effusion?

Low QRS voltage, electrical alternans, and tachycardia.

What EKG finding is characteristic of hypothermia?

Osborn wave (J point deflection) between the end of the QRS and ST segment.

What does digitalis toxicity present as on an EKG?

PVCs, junctional rhythms, and classic atrial tachycardia with AV block.

What is Brugada Syndrome characterized by in an EKG?

Coved ST elevation in V1–V3 followed by inverted T waves.