Which wave on a tele strip represents atrial depolarization?

Which wave on a tele strip represents atrial depolarization?

• A. Q-wave
• B. R-wave
• C. T-wave
• D. P-wave

Answer: (D)

Atrial depolarization is represented by a small, smooth wave that precedes the large ventricular activity—the P wave. This waveform shows the atria electrical activation that leads to atrial contraction. The larger QRS complex that follows reflects ventricular depolarization, with the Q, R, and S components describing the rapid ventricular activation. After that, the T wave marks ventricular repolarization as the ventricles reset for the next beat. Note that atrial repolarization does occur during the QRS complex, but it’s masked by the much larger ventricular deflection and doesn’t appear as a separate wave on a normal strip.

Atrial depolarization is represented by a small, smooth wave that precedes the large ventricular activity—the P wave. This waveform shows the atria electrical activation that leads to atrial contraction. The larger QRS complex that follows reflects ventricular depolarization, with the Q, R, and S components describing the rapid ventricular activation. After that, the T wave marks ventricular repolarization as the ventricles reset for the next beat. Note that atrial repolarization does occur during the QRS complex, but it’s masked by the much larger ventricular deflection and doesn’t appear as a separate wave on a normal strip.