Question

Consider the following statements: Before Elective Operation ECG may evaluate
1. heart rate
2. atrial fibrillations
3. heart-block
4. recent myocardial infarction
Which of these statements are correct?

• A. 1, 2 and 4
• B. 2, 3 and 4
• C. 1 and 3
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Hint:

Check whether each finding, rate, rhythm, conduction, and infarction, shows up on a standard ECG trace.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

This question checks what a routine ECG before an elective operation can actually show. Let's test each item on the list.

1. Heart rate: Counting beats over a fixed strip of ECG paper gives the heart rate directly, so this is evaluated.
2. Atrial fibrillation: This rhythm shows an irregularly irregular pattern with no clear P waves, a pattern that stands out clearly on ECG.
3. Heart block: Delay or interruption of the signal between the atria and ventricles shows up as a prolonged PR interval or a mismatch between P waves and QRS complexes on the tracing.
4. Recent myocardial infarction: A recent heart attack leaves marks on the ECG such as ST changes, T wave inversion, or new Q waves, all detectable on a routine tracing.

Every one of the four things listed, rate, atrial fibrillation, heart block, and a recent infarction, can be picked up on an ordinary preoperative ECG.

Let's summarize:

• An ECG reflects rate, rhythm, conduction, and any recent infarct changes.
• All four listed findings are within what a preoperative ECG can evaluate.

So before an elective operation, an ECG may evaluate heart rate, atrial fibrillation, heart block, and recent myocardial infarction, meaning statements 1, 2, 3 and 4 are all correct.