Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

Which type of heart rhythm is often indicated by a consistent, regular P-P interval?

1. Atrial fibrillation

2. Normal Sinus Rhythm

3. Ventricular fibrillation

4. Bradycardia

The correct answer is: Normal Sinus Rhythm

A consistent, regular P-P interval is characteristic of Normal Sinus Rhythm. In this rhythm, each P wave represents atrial depolarization and occurs at regular intervals, indicating that the electrical activity of the heart is functioning normally. This regularity reflects an organized and coordinated electrical impulse coming from the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is the natural pacemaker of the heart. In contrast, atrial fibrillation is marked by irregularly irregular P-P intervals due to disorganized electrical signals in the atria. Ventricular fibrillation is a chaotic rhythm that lacks discernible waves, leading to ineffective pumping of blood. Bradycardia refers to a slower than normal heart rate, but the intervals may not necessarily be regular or consistent; it could still occur with irregular rhythms. Therefore, the stability of the P-P interval in Normal Sinus Rhythm clearly distinguishes it from these other types of heart rhythms.