What is considered a narrow QRS width?

Study for the Cardiac HealthStream Telemetry Exam. Dive into detailed flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with helpful hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What is considered a narrow QRS width?

Explanation:
The QRS width reflects how long it takes the ventricles to depolarize. A narrow QRS means the ventricles are activated quickly through the normal His–Purkinje conduction pathway. This rapid, synchronized activation is typically under 0.12 seconds (120 ms). So the best choice is the value that states less than 0.12 seconds. Durations like 0.12–0.20 seconds are not considered narrow, and even more so the ranges 0.20–0.28 and 0.28–0.36 seconds are clearly wide, indicating slower or abnormal ventricular conduction such as bundle-branch blocks or ventricular origin. In practice, a QRS under 120 ms is considered narrow, while longer durations raise concern for conduction abnormalities.

The QRS width reflects how long it takes the ventricles to depolarize. A narrow QRS means the ventricles are activated quickly through the normal His–Purkinje conduction pathway. This rapid, synchronized activation is typically under 0.12 seconds (120 ms). So the best choice is the value that states less than 0.12 seconds. Durations like 0.12–0.20 seconds are not considered narrow, and even more so the ranges 0.20–0.28 and 0.28–0.36 seconds are clearly wide, indicating slower or abnormal ventricular conduction such as bundle-branch blocks or ventricular origin. In practice, a QRS under 120 ms is considered narrow, while longer durations raise concern for conduction abnormalities.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy