Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT) Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success!

In the scenario where there are more P waves than QRS complexes, this indicates a form of heart block where the electrical signals from the atria are not being conducted effectively to the ventricles. Third-degree AV block, also known as complete heart block, occurs when there is a complete dissociation between the atrial and ventricular rhythms. In this condition, although the atria may generate P waves, the ventricular pace is independent, leading to the scenario where P waves appear without corresponding QRS complexes.

This phenomenon reflects a failure of the signals from the atria to reach the ventricles, thus resulting in an absence of the expected QRS complexes for some of the P waves. It is crucial to understand the dynamics of how atrial impulses relate to ventricular responses and recognize that in complete heart block, the atria and ventricles beat independently, causing the distinct pattern of P waves occurring without a matching QRS.

In contrast, atrial fibrillation features irregularly spaced QRS complexes and does not typically present with a fixed relationship between P waves and QRS complexes. Wenckebach and second-degree AV block might show a varied number of P waves to QRS complexes but do not typically demonstrate the complete disconnection seen in third-degree