Saunders Q&A---#310,I don't understand

RoxanRN · May 18, 2005

Hi there,
Is here anyone who can help me understand this question? In Saunder's Q&A book,page298,#310. What is 'no associated P wave" means? Means no P wave or no related with P wave? The ECG is so difficult to us who never work in CCU or ICU. Any tips for this kind of questions? Hope anyone can help to explain this question for me and my frineds. Thanks.

Without having the book/question in front of me, I'd say it's meaning no P wave 'married' to the complex(s). This could indicate a-fib, a 3rd degree AVB, a junctional rhythm or a ventricular rhythm. What does the rest of the strip look like?

Might I also recommend an ECG interpretation book... 'Rapid Interpretation of ECG' by Dubin. It's bright orange in color... you can't miss it on the bookstore shelf!

Roxan

BabyRN2Be · May 18, 2005

This is one subject that I know that I'm going to need help in one day: ECG interpretation. Fortunately, there are many books on various nursing topics. I see them every time I walk into Barnes and Noble. I believe that I'm going to need several of them that do not have anything to do with L&D/PP.

Hope you find your answer.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · May 18, 2005

Hard to help without seeing the wording of the entire question, but A Fib and V Tach would have no visible P waves.

A site that might help a lot and is fun to do is http://www.randylarson.com/acls/3rhythms.html

Start with the first page and work your way through.

Hope that helps !