While monitoring an electrocardiogram (EKG) rhythm strip, the nurse notices that no P-waves can be seen, but the QRS waves are occurring in irregular intervals. The nurse also notes that the heart rate is elevated to 126 beats per minute. This rhythm is recognized as which of the following?

Explanation

•In atrial fibrillation, no P waves can be identified because the sinoatrial (SA) node is not the origin of the electrical impulse. 

•In atrial fibrillation, multiple areas inside the atria of the heart fire off electrical impulses, preventing the atria from beating effectively, instead only "quivering."

•As these multiple electrical impulses travel to the atrioventricular (AV) node, the ventricles are stimulated to contract. These random electrical impulses cause the ventricles to squeeze, causing the irregular intervals of QRS waveforms on an EKG.

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