Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

In reference to a Ventricle Pacemaker, what characteristic is observed on an ECG?

1. Spike before the P wave

2. Spike before the QRS complex

3. Regular QRS intervals with absent spikes

4. P waves always present

The correct answer is: Spike before the QRS complex

A Ventricle Pacemaker is designed to assist the heart when its natural rhythm is irregular or absent, specifically by sending electrical impulses directly to the ventricles. The characteristic observed on an ECG when using a Ventricle Pacemaker is a spike occurring just before the QRS complex. This spike represents the electrical impulse generated by the pacemaker that prompts the ventricles to contract. The presence of this spike immediately before the QRS complex confirms the pacemaker's role in initiating ventricular depolarization, which is reflected in the QRS pattern that follows. This is key in distinguishing a ventricular pacemaker from other pacing modes, as it indicates that the pacing is specifically taking place within the ventricles themselves, rather than stimulating atrial activity. In contrast, if the spike appeared before the P wave, it would imply that the pacemaker is stimulating atrial activity, which does not occur with a ventricular pacemaker. The other options presenting regular QRS intervals with absent spikes or always having P waves are indicative of different cardiac conditions or pacing functionalities that do not apply in this context.