What does asystole look like on an EKG?

Asystole is characterized by a complete absence of electrical activity in the heart, which is reflected as a flat line on the electrocardiogram (EKG). This flat line indicates that there are no impulses being generated from the sinoatrial node, and as a result, the heart is not contracting, leading to a cessation of blood flow.

The absence of any waves, spikes, or activity indicates total lack of ventricular depolarization, which is why it is critical to recognize asystole for immediate medical intervention. In contrast, other options describe patterns that indicate some form of cardiac activity, such as irregularities or normal rhythms, which would denote heart function rather than the absence of it as seen in asystole.