What is commonly observed with junctional rhythms on an ECG?

Junctional rhythms are characterized by the presence of impulses generated from the AV junction due to the failure of higher pacemakers. In these rhythms, it's common to observe an absence of P waves on the ECG. This happens because the electrical impulse originates below the atria, meaning that atrial depolarization, which is represented by the P wave, is either absent or occurs simultaneously with the QRS complex, thus obscuring it.

The absence of recognizable P waves is a key diagnostic feature distinguishing junctional rhythms from normal sinus rhythms or other types of arrhythmias. Therefore, identifying this lack of P waves helps healthcare providers quickly recognize and appropriately manage junctional rhythms in patients.