The nurse analyzes the patient's ECG and compares it with a baseline ECG recorded before the patient began having chest pain.What finding indicates a problem with the ventricle?

A) Prolonged QRS segment
B) Elevated P wave
C) Absence of T wave
D) Prolonged PR interval

The QRS segment is an indicator of contraction of the ventricle.If there is ischemia to the ventricle,the impulse will travel more slowly,especially if there are damaged or dead cells along the impulse pathway; therefore,the QRS segment would be prolonged.The P wave is an indicator of atrial activity,not ventricular activity.The T wave is an indication of repolarization of the cardiac tissue,so it would not indicate ventricular ischemia.The PR interval measures the time it takes for the impulse to move from the atria to the ventricles and is not a measure of ventricular ischemia.