EKG Practice Test

What is the function of the sinoatrial (SA) node?

Initiates the heartbeat

The atrioventricular (AV) node is located in which part of the heart?

Right atrium

What is the main role of the bundle of His?

Transmit impulses to the bundle branches

Which chamber of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the lungs?

Left atrium

The QRS complex represents:

Ventricular depolarization

Blood flows from the left atrium into the left ventricle through the:

Mitral valve

The heart is enclosed in a protective sac called the:

Pericardium

The P wave on an ECG represents:

Atrial depolarization

The normal heart rate range for an adult is:

60–100 bpm

The AV node delays conduction to allow:

Ventricular filling

Which blood vessels supply oxygenated blood to the myocardium?

Coronary arteries

The structure that prevents back flow of blood into the left atrium is the:

Mitral valve

Purkinje fibers are responsible for:

Conducting impulses to ventricular myocardium

The heart has how many valves?

4

What layer of the heart is responsible for contraction?

Myocardium

What is the standard paper speed for ECG recording?

25 mm/s

One large box on ECG paper equals how many seconds?

0.2 sec

What should be the standard calibration marker on ECG paper?

10 mm = 1 mV

Artifact from muscle movement is called:

Somatic tremor

What is the cause of AC interference?

Electrical equipment nearby

Which of the following leads is not part of the limb leads?

V2

V4 is placed at the:

5th intercostal space, midclavicular line

An inverted P wave in lead II most likely indicates:

Ectopic atrial rhythm

The ground electrode in a 12-lead ECG is placed on the:

Right leg

Which of the following may reduce electrode adhesion?

Hairy or oily skin

Which leads record activity in the horizontal plane?

Precordial leads

Which electrode is used to form the augmented leads?

All limb electrodes

A wandering baseline is caused by:

Poor skin contact

If a lead wire is detached, what should the technician do?

Reconnect it and repeat the tracing

Which waveform follows the QRS complex?

T wave

Why should a technician observe standard precautions during ECG?

To prevent infection transmission

Which lead views the heart from the left leg upward?

aVF

What is the maximum acceptable artifact level for diagnostic quality ECG?

None

Modified lead placement is often used during:

Exercise stress testing

What is the main concern when using alcohol to prep skin for electrode placement?

Poor conductivity

Before performing an ECG, a technician should first:

Explain the procedure

Which of the following is a symptom requiring STAT ECG?

Chest pain with shortness of breath

Proper hand hygiene should be performed:

Before and after patient contact

Transmission-based precautions are used:

In addition to standard precautions

If a patient refuses an ECG, the technician should:

Explain the importance and notify the nurse

Which item is considered a biohazard?

Blood-contaminated gloves

A technician finds a patient unconscious. What should they do first?

Check responsiveness and call for help

If a patient is on oxygen during ECG, the technician should:

Record the ECG with oxygen in place

During an ECG, the patient complains of chest pain. What should the technician do?

Stop the ECG and notify a nurse immediately

All of the following are contact precautions EXCEPT:

Face shield

The most common cause of fainting during ECG is:

Anxiety or vasovagal response

Patients with implanted pacemakers should:

Be noted in the report

If a patient has a seizure during ECG, the technician should:

Stop the ECG and protect the patient

Which PPE is typically required for ECG?

Gloves (standard precautions)

A diabetic patient becomes pale and sweaty. What should the technician do?

Call for medical help immediately

A rate of 40 bpm with no P waves and wide QRS may indicate:

Ventricular rhythm

ST segment elevation may indicate:

Myocardial infarction

Atrial fibrillation is characterized by:No visible P waves and irregular rhythm

No visible P waves and irregular rhythm

Which arrhythmia requires immediate attention?

Ventricular fibrillation

A U wave is often seen in:

Hypokalemia

In lead II, P waves should normally be:

Upright

Which rhythm shows grouped beating, progressive PR prolongation, dropped QRS complexes?

Wenckebach (Mobitz I)

Asystole is defined as:

Flatline ECG with no electrical activity

The most life-threatening arrhythmia is:

Ventricular fibrillation

A first-degree AV block is characterized by:

Long PR interval

Wide QRS complexes usually indicate:

Ventricular origin

A tall, peaked T wave is typically seen in:

Hyperkalemia

The term “bigeminy” refers to:

Every other beat is a PVC

Sinus tachycardia refers to:

Sinus rhythm >100 bpm

Which ECG change is a sign of pericarditis?

PR depression with diffuse ST elevation

Which condition may show sawtooth waves on ECG?

Atrial flutter

The QT interval represents:

Ventricular depolarization and repolarization

What rhythm has a rate of 60–100 bpm, upright P waves, and regular rhythm?

Normal sinus rhythm

A sudden drop in QRS amplitude may indicate:

Lead detachment

What rhythm is characterized by chaotic ventricular activity with no cardiac output?

Ventricular fibrillation

Which rhythm has absent P waves and a narrow QRS with a rate of 40–60 bpm?

Junctional rhythm

Atrial fibrillation increases risk for:

Stroke

The best lead to detect atrial activity is usually:

Lead II

Which of the following is a cause of sinus bradycardia?

Beta-blockers

A flat T wave may indicate:

Hypokalemia

Which document explains a patient’s rights in healthcare?

Bill of Rights

HIPAA regulations are designed to protect:

Patient privacy

Before touching a patient, a technician should:

Obtain verbal or written consent

If a technician shares a patient’s ECG with friends, it’s a violation of:

HIPAA

What is the primary responsibility of an EKG technician?

Performing and recording ECGs accurately

If a patient refuses treatment, the technician should:

Notify the supervising nurse or provider

Which agency enforces workplace safety?

OSHA

Which of the following is a legal document?

All of the above

If you document something incorrectly, what should you do?

Draw a single line and initial the correction

Abandonment occurs when:

Patient is left without care

A patient with COPD needs an ECG. Which lead placement might be adjusted?

All precordial leads

A patient is diaphoretic and pale. The technician should:

Stop and get help immediately

During Holter monitor setup, the patient should be instructed to:

Keep the monitor dry

A 12-lead ECG shows ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. What area is affected?

Inferior wall

A patient asks for a copy of their ECG. What should you do?

Refer them to their provider

A tall man with a barrel chest needs an ECG. What should be considered?

Adjust chest lead positions slightly

A noisy ECG tracing is likely due to:

Muscle tremor or loose leads

A technician notes ST depression in leads V1-V4. What is likely?

Posterior MI

A pediatric patient is scared of the ECG. What should the tech do?

Explain and demonstrate gently

A technician is unsure about a reading. What should they do?

Record accurately and refer to physician

A patient wearing lotion causes leads to fall off. What’s the best action?

Wipe skin with alcohol and reapply leads

In an emergency, how should a technician prioritize ECG performance?

As ordered by physician

A rhythm strip shows 3 P waves for every QRS. What is likely?

3rd degree AV block

A technician sees V-tach on the monitor. First step?

Call for help and assess the patient

Which of the following ensures test reliability?

Clear tracing and proper lead placement