A Premature Junctional Contraction rhythm is best described as:

• A. Prolonged QT interval with normal rhythm
• B. Wide QRS complex with normal rate
• C. Normal except for the PJC
• D. Absent P waves throughout

Answer: (C)

The key idea is recognizing a premature junctional beat, not a full abnormal rhythm. A Premature Junctional Contraction occurs when an ectopic focus in the AV junction fires early. The impulse travels through the normal His‑Purkinje system, so the QRS is narrow, but the beat arrives early and alters the atrial activation pattern. Because the impulse often goes retrograde into the atria, the P wave is usually not seen before the QRS and may appear inverted after the QRS or be hidden. Outside of these early beats, the overall rhythm remains essentially normal.

That’s why the best description is a normal rhythm with occasional PJC events. The other descriptions imply global rhythm abnormalities (prolonged QT with normal rhythm, wide QRS indicating ventricular origin, or absent P waves—uncommon for PJCs since P waves are typically present, albeit altered).