In which situation would you expect a junctional rhythm?

A junctional rhythm occurs primarily when the sinoatrial (SA) node fails to fire or is non-functional, causing the atrioventricular (AV) node to take over as the primary pacemaker for the heart. In this scenario, the AV node-generated impulses lead to the junctional rhythm, characterized by a heart rate that typically ranges between 40 and 60 beats per minute.

The AV node assumes control when the SA node is not responding effectively, often due to factors such as heart block or other disruptions in the electrical conduction pathway. The presence of a junctional rhythm typically indicates an issue with the upper conduction system, with the heart relying on the lower pacemaker of the AV node instead.

In contrast, when the SA node functions normally, it is responsible for initiating the heartbeat and establishing the rhythm, thereby preventing the AV node from assuming the pacemaker role. Likewise, in the case of a complete heart block, the conduction between the atria and ventricles is interrupted, which can lead to various other rhythms but not specifically a pure junctional rhythm. Lastly, having a high ventricular rate is often associated with other dysrhythmias, such as tachycardia, rather than the junctional rhythm, which is characterized