An ECG tracing shows sinus rhythm with multifocal premature ventricular contractions. Which rhythm best describes this tracing?

Get ready for the Paramedic Readiness Exam 5. Study with multiple-choice questions, detailed explanations, and effective strategies. Enhance your exam preparedness today!

Multiple Choice

An ECG tracing shows sinus rhythm with multifocal premature ventricular contractions. Which rhythm best describes this tracing?

Distinguishing sinus rhythm with ventricular ectopy, specifically multifocal PVCs. The tracing shows an organized sinus rhythm with normal P waves, but interspersed are premature, wide QRS complexes that don’t follow a P wave. The different shapes of these PVCs indicate they originate from more than one ventricular focus, hence multifocal. So the rhythm is best described as sinus rhythm with multifocal PVCs. This differs from sinus tachycardia (faster rate but still normal QRS and P waves), atrial fibrillation (no distinct P waves and an irregular rhythm), and ventricular tachycardia (continuous fast, wide-QRS rhythm with no underlying sinus rhythm).

Distinguishing sinus rhythm with ventricular ectopy, specifically multifocal PVCs. The tracing shows an organized sinus rhythm with normal P waves, but interspersed are premature, wide QRS complexes that don’t follow a P wave. The different shapes of these PVCs indicate they originate from more than one ventricular focus, hence multifocal. So the rhythm is best described as sinus rhythm with multifocal PVCs. This differs from sinus tachycardia (faster rate but still normal QRS and P waves), atrial fibrillation (no distinct P waves and an irregular rhythm), and ventricular tachycardia (continuous fast, wide-QRS rhythm with no underlying sinus rhythm).

More practice questions