What might an inverted T wave on an EKG suggest?

• A. Hyperkalemia
• B. Hypokalemia
• C. Pulmonary embolus
• D. Bradycardia

Answer: (C)

An inverted T wave on an EKG can indicate a range of cardiac issues, and in this case, it is associated with pulmonary embolus. When a pulmonary embolus occurs, it can result in strain on the right ventricle due to increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation. This strain can manifest as an inverted T wave, particularly in the right precordial leads, indicating that the right ventricle is under distress.

In contrast, hyperkalemia typically causes peaked T waves rather than inversion, while hypokalemia can lead to flattened T waves. Bradycardia may not directly cause changes to the T wave but rather influences the heart rate and rhythm without necessarily resulting in wave inversion. Thus, the recognition of inverted T waves on an EKG is crucial in identifying potential conditions like a pulmonary embolus, where timely intervention may be necessary.