What term is used for the recording of the heart's electrical activity over time using surface electrodes?

• A. Mitral Valve Prolapse
• B. Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
• C. Electrocardiogram
• D. Endocarditis

Answer: (C)

Recording the heart’s electrical activity over time with surface electrodes is called an electrocardiogram. Electrodes placed on the chest and limbs pick up the heart’s electrical impulses, producing a tracing that shows the P wave, the QRS complex, and the T wave. This helps assess heart rate and rhythm, conduction intervals (like PR and QT), and can reveal signs of ischemia, infarction, or electrolyte disturbances. The term Electrocardiogram is the correct label for the recording itself, with ECG or EKG as common abbreviations. The other terms describe conditions or diseases (valve problems, a type of heart attack, and infection of the heart lining) rather than the recording of electrical activity.