Which of the following indicates ventricular repolarization?

Appeared in: NVS- 2025

Explanation

The T wave represents the repolarization, or electrical recovery phase, of the ventricles.
This process occurs after ventricular contraction (depolarization) as the heart muscle cells return to their resting electrical state, preparing them for the next heartbeat.
The T wave follows the QRS complex in a normal cardiac cycle.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization, which is the electrical impulse that triggers the powerful contraction of the ventricles to pump blood to the body and lungs.
Option B: The Q wave is the first downward (negative) deflection of the QRS complex. It represents the initial phase of ventricular depolarization, specifically the depolarization of the interventricular septum.
Option C: The P wave represents atrial depolarization, which is the electrical signal that causes the atria (the heart's upper chambers) to contract and push blood into the ventricles.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain ECG Interpretation: Waveforms as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must closely monitor the T wave as its morphology provides vital clues about cardiac health. For example, inverted T waves can suggest myocardial ischemia, tall 'peaked' T waves are a classic sign of hyperkalemia, and flattened T waves can indicate hypokalemia.
Understanding ECG basics is a fundamental nursing skill for recognizing life-threatening arrhythmias and electrolyte imbalances, enabling prompt intervention.
What if? If the question asked for atrial repolarization, the answer would be that it is typically not visible on a standard ECG. The atrial repolarization wave (Ta wave) is a small signal that is masked by the much larger QRS complex, which occurs at the same time.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the key phrase in the question: "ventricular repolarization".
This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of basic electrocardiography.
Mentally review the sequence of a normal ECG: P wave, QRS complex, T wave.
Recall the electrical event associated with each wave: P wave (atrial depolarization), QRS complex (ventricular depolarization), and T wave (ventricular repolarization).
Match the event from the question ("ventricular repolarization") with its corresponding waveform (T wave).
Eliminate the other options based on their known functions.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: ECG Interpretation: Waveforms
Stem keywords: ventricular repolarization, ECG
Lead-in keywords: Which of the following indicates
Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

Qel-3MeFpYBQXC4H9jPu1M

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 7320-7322

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1909-1911

Practise the full NVS- 2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.

Attempt this paper Attempt in the NPrep app