Palpitations are found in Section B when they are what?

Palpitations are found in Section B when they are what?

• A. Abnormal rate
• B. Normal Rate/ECG
• C. Tachycardic only
• D. Bradycardic only

Answer: (B)

Palpitations can be reported by a patient even when the heart’s rhythm appears normal. When the ECG shows a normal rate and rhythm, it means there isn’t a sustained tachycardia or bradycardia driving the sensation at that moment, so the symptom fits under “Normal Rate/ECG.” In practice, this doesn’t rule out the complaint—palpitations may arise from benign factors like anxiety, dehydration, caffeine, or transient ectopy not captured on the tracing. The other options imply the sensation only occurs with an abnormal rate, which isn’t required for palpitations to be present, so the best match is a normal rate/ECG.

Palpitations can be reported by a patient even when the heart’s rhythm appears normal. When the ECG shows a normal rate and rhythm, it means there isn’t a sustained tachycardia or bradycardia driving the sensation at that moment, so the symptom fits under “Normal Rate/ECG.” In practice, this doesn’t rule out the complaint—palpitations may arise from benign factors like anxiety, dehydration, caffeine, or transient ectopy not captured on the tracing. The other options imply the sensation only occurs with an abnormal rate, which isn’t required for palpitations to be present, so the best match is a normal rate/ECG.