Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Get ready to excel in your exam!

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What is a characteristic of ventricular flutter?

Irregularly spaced QRS complexes
Smooth sine waves with similar amplitudes
Presence of a distinct P wave
Highly variable heart rates

The correct answer is: Smooth sine waves with similar amplitudes

Ventricular flutter is characterized by smooth, sine wave-like patterns that occur at a rapid and regular rhythm. This pattern typically features waves with similar amplitudes and a consistent frequency. This characteristic is indicative of a severe abnormality in the heart's electrical system, where the ventricles contract rapidly and uniformly, leading to ineffective blood pumping. The other options describe characteristics that do not apply to ventricular flutter. Irregularly spaced QRS complexes are common in other arrhythmias, whereas the presence of a distinct P wave indicates atrial activity, which is not typically observed in ventricular flutter. Additionally, highly variable heart rates are more indicative of conditions like atrial fibrillation rather than the uniform rhythm seen in ventricular flutter. Thus, the sine wave appearance with consistent amplitude and rapid rate is a defining feature of this arrhythmia.