Normal sinus rhythm — an educational nurse reference.
What normal sinus rhythm looks like on a strip, the intervals that confirm it, and what to verify with calipers.
Recognizing this rhythm at the bedside means matching pattern, intervals, and clinical context. This page covers the educational pattern; calipers and your clinical judgment carry it across the line.
What RN PocketPal does
Identifying traits
- Rate: 60–100 bpm
- Rhythm: regular
- P wave: present, upright in lead II, before every QRS
- PR interval: 0.12–0.20 sec
- QRS: < 0.12 sec
- QT: rate-dependent (use QTc)
Verify with
- Calipers across at least 6 R-R intervals to confirm regularity.
- Lead II for P-wave morphology.
- Patient's clinical context (sinus tachycardia and bradycardia look like NSR with rate variation).
Who it’s for
For Nurses and nursing students learning rhythm interpretation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this a diagnostic guide?
- No. This is educational reference for nurses learning to identify rhythms. Diagnosis is the clinician's responsibility.
- What if the rate is borderline?
- Outside 60–100 bpm with otherwise NSR-looking morphology means sinus brady or sinus tach — see those references.
- How do I verify on the strip?
- Walk calipers across 6+ R-R intervals to confirm regularity, and check lead II for upright P waves before every QRS.
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Reviewed by RN PocketPal Clinical Team, RN. Last reviewed .