What does a deep Q wave represent in an EKG reading?

What does a deep Q wave represent in an EKG reading?

• A. Reentrapment of blood
• B. Necrosis with loss of positive voltages
• C. Increased heart rate
• D. Hypertrophy of the heart

Answer: (B)

A deep Q wave on an EKG indicates the presence of necrosis, specifically myocardial infarction, which is the death of heart muscle tissue due to a lack of blood supply. When myocardial tissue becomes necrotic, it loses its ability to generate electrical impulses, leading to a loss of positive voltages during the depolarization phase of the cardiac cycle. This electrical inactivity manifests as a deep Q wave on the EKG, as the affected area of the heart does not produce the normal upward deflection seen in healthy myocardial tissue. In contrast, other options do not accurately describe the significance of a deep Q wave. Reentrapment of blood does not relate to the electrical activity reflected in an EKG. Increased heart rate may cause other changes in the EKG but does not result in deep Q waves. Hypertrophy of the heart can lead to various voltage changes in the EKG as well, but it would not typically cause deep Q waves indicating necrosis. Thus, recognizing the presence of deep Q waves is essential for identifying underlying cardiac damage.

A deep Q wave on an EKG indicates the presence of necrosis, specifically myocardial infarction, which is the death of heart muscle tissue due to a lack of blood supply. When myocardial tissue becomes necrotic, it loses its ability to generate electrical impulses, leading to a loss of positive voltages during the depolarization phase of the cardiac cycle. This electrical inactivity manifests as a deep Q wave on the EKG, as the affected area of the heart does not produce the normal upward deflection seen in healthy myocardial tissue.

In contrast, other options do not accurately describe the significance of a deep Q wave. Reentrapment of blood does not relate to the electrical activity reflected in an EKG. Increased heart rate may cause other changes in the EKG but does not result in deep Q waves. Hypertrophy of the heart can lead to various voltage changes in the EKG as well, but it would not typically cause deep Q waves indicating necrosis. Thus, recognizing the presence of deep Q waves is essential for identifying underlying cardiac damage.