What is the heart rate range for a ventricular escape rhythm?

A ventricular escape rhythm is typically characterized by a heart rate that ranges from 20 to 40 beats per minute. This rhythm occurs as a protective mechanism when the higher pacemakers of the heart (such as the sinoatrial node and the atrioventricular node) fail, resulting in the activation of the ventricles by the intrinsic pacemaker cells located within the ventricles themselves, usually the Purkinje fibers.

In the context of the other options, while the ranges of 60-100 bpm signify a normal sinus rhythm and the range of 40-60 bpm could suggest an escape rhythm from the junctional area, they do not align with the criteria for a ventricular escape rhythm specifically. The absence of typical cardiac rhythm control from the upper chambers leads to lower heart rates situated more towards the slower end of the spectrum, which is clearly represented by 20-40 bpm as seen in complete heart block or severe bradycardia scenarios. Thus, the selection of the heart rate range of 20-40 bpm correctly represents the expected heart rate for a ventricular escape rhythm.