Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

What defines a Dual Paced Rhythm in an ECG?

1. Spike before the QRS only

2. Spike before the P wave only

3. Spike before both the P wave and QRS complex

4. Irregular spikes with absent P and QRS waves

The correct answer is: Spike before both the P wave and QRS complex

A Dual Paced Rhythm in an ECG is characterized by the presence of pacing spikes that occur before both the P wave and the QRS complex. This indicates that there are two distinct pacing sources or mechanisms at play: one for the atria and one for the ventricles. The spikes prior to the P wave represent atrial pacing, while the spikes prior to the QRS complex indicate ventricular pacing. This pattern is indicative of conditions where patients may require both atrial and ventricular assistance, such as in the case of certain heart block scenarios or dual-chamber pacemaker settings. Thus, the presence of spikes before both the P wave and QRS complex distinctly defines a Dual Paced Rhythm, reflecting coordinated pacing in both chambers of the heart.