Which statement is true about the T wave?

Which statement is true about the T wave?

• A. It represents atrial depolarization
• B. It represents AV nodal conduction
• C. It represents ventricular repolarization
• D. It represents atrial repolarization

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is what the T wave represents on an ECG. The T wave corresponds to ventricular repolarization, the process by which the ventricles recover electrically after they have depolarized to contract (which is shown by the QRS complex). The P wave is the atrial depolarization, so it is not the T wave. AV nodal conduction isn’t seen as a separate wave; it contributes to the PR interval as electrical impulses travel through the AV node, not as a distinct deflection. Atrial repolarization does happen, but it is masked by the larger QRS complex and thus not seen as its own wave. So the statement that the T wave reflects ventricular repolarization is the correct one.

The key idea here is what the T wave represents on an ECG. The T wave corresponds to ventricular repolarization, the process by which the ventricles recover electrically after they have depolarized to contract (which is shown by the QRS complex). The P wave is the atrial depolarization, so it is not the T wave. AV nodal conduction isn’t seen as a separate wave; it contributes to the PR interval as electrical impulses travel through the AV node, not as a distinct deflection. Atrial repolarization does happen, but it is masked by the larger QRS complex and thus not seen as its own wave. So the statement that the T wave reflects ventricular repolarization is the correct one.