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How much time is represented on the horizontal axis of the ECG paper by five large boxes?

  1. 3 s

  2. 5 s

  3. 0.5 s

  4. 1 s

The correct answer is: 1 s

Five large boxes on ECG paper represent 1 second of time. This is based on the standard calibration of ECG paper, where one large box is equal to 0.2 seconds. Therefore, five large boxes, which equal 5 times 0.2 seconds, add up to 1 second. This fundamental understanding of ECG paper timing is crucial for correctly interpreting heart rates and rhythm abnormalities during patient assessments. Each small box represents 0.04 seconds, and counting the boxes allows healthcare professionals to accurately measure the intervals between heartbeats, aiding in diagnosis and treatment planning.