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    Ati med surg (cardiovascular) freshno college proctored exam

    A 55-year-old patient with a history of hypertension is undergoing a routine ECG as part of their annual check-up. The ECG reveals a first-degree AV block. Which of the following statements about first-degree AV block is correct?

    Explanation & Rationale

    Rationale: A. In first-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, all atrial impulses reach the ventricles, but conduction through the AV node is delayed. This delay is reflected on the ECG as a PR interval longer than 0.20 seconds, while the QRS complex remains normal. First-degree AV block is usually asymptomatic and often does not require treatment. B. This description fits second-degree AV block, not first-degree. In first-degree block, no impulses are blocked, only delayed. C. First-degree AV block is generally asymptomatic, and patients rarely experience symptoms. Symptoms such as syncope are more characteristic of higher-degree AV blocks. D. Pacemaker therapy is not indicated for first-degree AV block unless it progresses to higher-degree AV block with symptomatic bradycardia. Immediate intervention is not needed in asymptomatic patients.

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