Asystole is defined as which of the following?

• A. Heart has ceased generating electrical impulses; cardiac arrest/standstill
• B. Ventricular tachycardia
• C. Irregular rhythm without block
• D. A normal heartbeat

Answer: (A)

Asystole means there is no electrical activity in the heart, so the heart isn’t contracting and there is no pulse. The description “heart has ceased generating electrical impulses; cardiac arrest/standstill” captures this lack of electrical activity and activity, which is exactly what asystole is on the monitor and in clinical exam.

This is different from ventricular tachycardia, which is a rapid, organized rhythm arising from the ventricles and can sometimes have a pulse. An irregular rhythm without block describes other arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation with irregular response, not a true flatline. A normal heartbeat would show regular electrical activity and a pulse, not the absence of activity seen in asystole.