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Multiple Choice

Accelerated junctional rhythm P waves are what?

When the rhythm is driven from the AV junction, atrial depolarization starts retrograde toward the atria. That retrograde activation changes the P-wave appearance: it is typically inverted in the normal limb leads and may not appear at all or may appear after the QRS as a late P wave. In accelerated junctional rhythm, the rate is higher than a typical junctional escape but the ventricles still conduct normally, so the QRS is narrow while the P waves are either inverted or late. This retrograde atrial activation is why the P waves aren’t normal; they’re inverted or occur after the QRS, matching the description of inverted or late P waves.

When the rhythm is driven from the AV junction, atrial depolarization starts retrograde toward the atria. That retrograde activation changes the P-wave appearance: it is typically inverted in the normal limb leads and may not appear at all or may appear after the QRS as a late P wave. In accelerated junctional rhythm, the rate is higher than a typical junctional escape but the ventricles still conduct normally, so the QRS is narrow while the P waves are either inverted or late. This retrograde atrial activation is why the P waves aren’t normal; they’re inverted or occur after the QRS, matching the description of inverted or late P waves.