A nurse is caring for a client with a ventricular pacemaker who is on ECG monitoring. The nurse understands that the pacemaker is functioning properly when which of the following appears on the monitor strip?

Choice A reason: A ventricular pacemaker stimulates the ventricles, producing a spike on the ECG before each QRS complex, indicating proper pacing and capture. This ensures the ventricles contract in response to the pacemaker’s electrical impulse, maintaining adequate cardiac output in clients with conduction issues. Choice B reason: Pacemaker spikes after each P wave suggest atrial pacing, not ventricular pacing. Ventricular pacemakers target ventricular contraction, so spikes should precede the QRS complex, not follow the P wave, making this an incorrect indicator of proper ventricular pacemaker function. Choice C reason: Pacemaker spikes with each T wave are not indicative of proper ventricular pacemaker function. T waves represent ventricular repolarization, and pacing at this phase is ineffective and potentially dangerous, as it does not initiate ventricular contraction, ruling out this option. Choice D reason: Pacemaker spikes after each QRS complex indicate failure to pace appropriately, as ventricular depolarization has already occurred. Proper ventricular pacing requires spikes before the QRS to initiate contraction, making this an incorrect sign of a functioning ventricular pacemaker.