Veterinary Technician Practice Exam

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Which of the following best describes tachycardia?

Slow heartbeat
Normal heartbeat
Rapid heartbeat
Irregular heartbeat

The correct answer is: Rapid heartbeat

Tachycardia is best described as a rapid heartbeat. This condition refers to a heart rate that exceeds the normal resting rate, typically defined as being over 100 beats per minute in adults. It can occur as a normal physiological response to various factors like exercise, excitement, or stress, but it can also indicate underlying health issues such as fever, anemia, or heart conditions when persistent. The other options do not accurately represent tachycardia. A slow heartbeat describes bradycardia, while a normal heartbeat reflects the typical resting heart rate for an individual, which is neither rapid nor slow. An irregular heartbeat pertains to arrhythmias, which involve abnormal rhythms rather than simply the speed of the heartbeat. Therefore, the description that aligns with the characteristics of tachycardia is indeed a rapid heartbeat.