Which statement best describes ventricular tachycardia on telemetry?

Which statement best describes ventricular tachycardia on telemetry?

• A. Wide complex tachycardia ≥120 bpm.
• B. Narrow complex tachycardia with regular rhythm.
• C. Flatline.
• D. Sawtooth waves.

Answer: (B)

Ventricular tachycardia on telemetry is identified by a rapid, organized rhythm that originates in the ventricles. The standout feature you can rely on at a glance is the regularity of the tachycardia; the beat-to-beat interval remains consistent as the rhythm runs fast. The other options describe scenarios that don’t match VT on telemetry: a flatline means no cardiac activity, a sawtooth pattern points to atrial flutter, and describing VT as a wide or narrow complex tachycardia shifts focus to QRS width rather than the steady, rapid rhythm. So the best description emphasizes the regular, fast rhythm seen with ventricular tachycardia.

Ventricular tachycardia on telemetry is identified by a rapid, organized rhythm that originates in the ventricles. The standout feature you can rely on at a glance is the regularity of the tachycardia; the beat-to-beat interval remains consistent as the rhythm runs fast. The other options describe scenarios that don’t match VT on telemetry: a flatline means no cardiac activity, a sawtooth pattern points to atrial flutter, and describing VT as a wide or narrow complex tachycardia shifts focus to QRS width rather than the steady, rapid rhythm. So the best description emphasizes the regular, fast rhythm seen with ventricular tachycardia.