ECG Basics for Dental Boards — INBDE Review
P-QRS-T waves, intervals, the conduction system (SA → AV → His-Purkinje), the high-yield arrhythmias (AFib, VT, VF), AV blocks, and the rhythms that require defibrillation. 11 board-style MCQs.
Concept summary & clinical relevance.
Quick-reference structure first, then nerve-by-nerve detail. Mnemonics in amber, clinical pearls in blue.
ECG questions on the INBDE focus on the basics: which wave is which, normal interval ranges, the standard arrhythmia patterns, and which rhythms are emergencies. You won't be asked to diagnose subtle infarcts, but you must recognize ventricular fibrillation as a “shock now” rhythm and atrial fibrillation as “irregularly irregular.”
| Wave / interval | Represents | Normal value |
|---|---|---|
| P wave | Atrial depolarization | Upright in lead II |
| PR interval | AV node conduction delay (allows ventricular filling) | 0.12–0.20 sec |
| QRS complex | Ventricular depolarization | < 0.12 sec (narrow) |
| T wave | Ventricular repolarization | Upright in most leads |
| QT interval | Total ventricular depolarization + repolarization | Prolonged QT → torsades / VF risk |
| Structure | Role | Intrinsic rate |
|---|---|---|
| SA node | Primary pacemaker | 60–100 bpm |
| AV node | Conduction delay → atrial kick before ventricles fire | 40–60 bpm (escape) |
| Bundle of His → bundle branches → Purkinje fibers | Rapid conduction to ventricular myocardium | 20–40 bpm (escape) |
| Rhythm | ECG features | Clinical action |
|---|---|---|
| Atrial fibrillation (AF) | Irregularly irregular; no distinct P waves | Anticoagulation (stroke prevention); rate control |
| Atrial flutter | Sawtooth flutter waves; regular ventricular response | Anticoagulation; rate control |
| Ventricular tachycardia (VT) with pulse | Wide QRS, fast and regular; pulse present | Pharmacologic or synchronized cardioversion |
| Ventricular fibrillation (VF) | Chaotic baseline, no organized QRS; no pulse | CPR + defibrillation immediately |
| 1st-degree AV block | PR > 0.20 sec; every P conducted | Usually benign |
| 2nd-degree AV block | Some P waves not followed by QRS | May need monitoring or pacing |
| 3rd-degree (complete) AV block | Atria and ventricles beat independently | Requires pacemaker |
Conduction system
- SA node (right atrium): the natural pacemaker. Fires at 60–100 bpm.
- AV node: the only normal electrical connection between atria and ventricles; introduces a 0.12–0.20 second delay so atria contract before ventricles.
- His–Purkinje system: rapid conduction throughout the ventricular myocardium → narrow QRS.
Common arrhythmia patterns
- Atrial fibrillation: irregularly irregular, no distinct P waves; major stroke risk → anticoagulation.
- Atrial flutter: sawtooth flutter waves; usually regular ventricular response.
- Ventricular tachycardia: wide QRS, rapid; can be with pulse (cardiovert) or pulseless (CPR + defibrillation).
- Ventricular fibrillation: chaotic, no organized QRS, no pulse → CPR + defibrillation immediately.
AV blocks at a glance
- 1st-degree: PR > 0.20 sec, every P conducted. Generally benign.
- 2nd-degree: some P waves dropped (Mobitz I gradually lengthens PR before drop; Mobitz II drops without warning).
- 3rd-degree (complete): atria and ventricles fire independently — requires pacemaker.
Other ECG patterns to recognize
- ST elevation: acute MI (STEMI) — call EMS immediately.
- ST depression: ischemia or digitalis effect.
- Tall, peaked T waves: hyperkalemia (commonly tested).
- Prolonged QT interval: predisposes to torsades de pointes and VF.
11 board-style MCQs.
Active recall is the highest-yield study method for the INBDE. Pick an answer, check it, and read why every distractor is wrong — that's where the learning compounds.
The MCQs above are Core Recall — testing what you've memorized. The book adds a full Clinical Integration set: board-style patient scenarios where you apply this anatomy to real clinical reasoning. That's the section the INBDE actually weights heaviest.
- Question 1EasyThe P wave on an ECG represents:
- Question 2EasyThe T wave represents:
- Question 3EasyWhich structure is the normal pacemaker of the heart?
- Question 4EasyThe AV node delays conduction in order to:
- Question 5EasyNormal sinus rhythm is defined as:
- Question 6ModerateAtrial fibrillation is best described as:
- Question 7ModerateIn third-degree (complete) AV block, the ECG shows:
- Question 8ModerateProlonged QT interval is concerning because:
- Question 9ModerateWhich rhythm requires immediate CPR and defibrillation?
- Question 10ModerateWhich ECG feature distinguishes ventricular tachycardia from supraventricular tachycardia?
- Question 11ModerateA dental patient becomes syncopal. ECG shows HR 40 bpm with a PR interval of 0.28 sec, but every P wave is followed by a QRS. The diagnosis is:
900 INBDE-style MCQs with full explanations across 18 chapters — Core Recall plus board-style Clinical Integration scenarios — alongside Learning Summaries, Integration Bridges, and Review Boxes. Built by Dr. Isaac Sun for dental students who want to think like a clinician, not just memorize.
Founder, KYT Dental Services · Author, KYT INBDE series. These MCQs and Learning Summaries are part of a structural-thinking framework Dr. Sun uses with patients in the chair.