On EKG paper, how much time does each small box represent?

Each small box on EKG paper represents 0.04 seconds. This is a fundamental concept in interpreting EKGs, as understanding the time measurement is crucial for accurately assessing heart rates and rhythms.

The EKG paper is printed at a standard speed of 25 mm per second. Since each small box is 1 mm wide, it can be calculated that if you're moving at 25 mm per second, each of the 5 small boxes that make up a larger box (which is 5 mm wide) will take 0.20 seconds to pass,

Breaking it down, since there are 5 small boxes in that larger box, each small box accounts for a fifth of that time, or 0.20 seconds divided by 5, which is 0.04 seconds. This knowledge allows healthcare providers to calculate intervals and segments of the cardiac cycle, such as the PR interval or QT interval, which are critical for diagnosing various cardiac conditions. Thus, being familiar with the time represented by small boxes on the EKG paper is essential for both paramedics and other healthcare professionals in effective patient assessment.