ekg review

Question 1

1. The sinoatrial (SA) node is considered the normal pacemaker of the heart. Which of the following best describes its function?
   A. Initiates electrical impulses spontaneously
   B. Transmits electrical impulses to the ventricles
   C. Regulates blood flow to the heart
   D. Stimulates the heart’s mechanical response

Answer 1

A. Initiates electrical impulses spontaneously

Question 2

2. What is the term used to describe the heart’s ability to initiate an impulse spontaneously and continuously?
   A. Conduction
   B. Excitability
   C. Automaticity
   D. Contractility

Answer 2

C. Automaticity

Question 3

3. In which of the following processes does the heart transmit an impulse along a membrane in an orderly manner?
   A. Automaticity
   B. Conduction
   C. Excitability
   D. Contractility

Answer 3

B. Conduction

Question 4

4. What term refers to the ability of cardiac cells to be electrically stimulated?
   A. Automaticity
   B. Conduction
   C. Excitability
   D. Contractility

Answer 4

C. Excitability

Question 5

5. Which of the following defines contractility in the context of the heart?
   A. The ability of heart cells to initiate an impulse
   B. The ability of the heart to respond mechanically to an impulse
   C. The ability to transmit electrical impulses along a membrane
   D. The ability to pump blood to the lungs

Answer 5

B. The ability of the heart to respond mechanically to an impulse

Question 6

6. What does an electrocardiogram (ECG) represent?
   A. A graphic tracing of heart sounds
   B. A measurement of heart rate
   C. A graphic tracing of the electrical impulses in the heart
   D. A diagnostic tool for blood pressure

Answer 6

C. A graphic tracing of the electrical impulses in the heart

Question 7

7. What is depolarization in the heart?
   A. The electrical activation of the heart muscle
   B. The return of the heart muscle to its resting electrical state
   C. The movement of ions across cell membranes
   D. The contraction of the ventricles

Answer 7

A. The electrical activation of the heart muscle

Question 8

8. What does repolarization of the heart muscle refer to?
   A. The electrical activation of the heart muscle
   B. The movement of ions across cell membranes
   C. The return of the heart muscle to its resting electrical state
   D. The depolarization of the ventricles

Answer 8

C. The return of the heart muscle to its resting electrical state

Question 9

9. What is the key principle in telemetry monitoring?
   A. Treat the monitor, not the patient
   B. Treat the patient, not the monitor
   C. Focus on heart rate only
   D. Use the ECG to diagnose heart disease

Answer 9

B. Treat the patient, not the monitor

Question 10

10. What does the P wave on an ECG represent?
    A. Atrial depolarization
    B. Ventricular depolarization
    C. Ventricular repolarization
    D. Atrial repolarization

Answer 10

A. Atrial depolarization

Question 11

11. The PR interval on an ECG is an isoelectric period lasting 0.10-0.20 seconds. What does it represent?
    A. Ventricular depolarization
    B. AV node delay
    C. Atrial depolarization
    D. Ventricular repolarization

Answer 11

B. AV node delay

Question 12

12. What does the QRS complex represent on an ECG?
    A. Atrial depolarization
    B. Ventricular depolarization
    C. Ventricular repolarization
    D. AV node delay

Answer 12

B. Ventricular depolarization

Question 13

13. The T wave on an ECG represents which of the following?
    A. Atrial depolarization
    B. Ventricular depolarization
    C. Ventricular repolarization
    D. AV node delay

Answer 13

C. Ventricular repolarization

Question 14

14. What is the normal range for the QRS complex duration?
    A. 0.04-0.10 seconds
    B. 0.10-0.12 seconds
    C. Less than 0.12 seconds
    D. More than 0.12 seconds

Answer 14

C. Less than 0.12 seconds

Question 15

15. What does the ST segment represent in an ECG reading?
    A. Atrial repolarization
    B. Ventricular repolarization
    C. An isoelectric period
    D. Ventricular depolarization

Answer 15

C. An isoelectric period

Question 16

16. What is the lead placement mnemonic for a 5-lead ECG?
    A. White on right, smoke over fire (black over red), brown in the middle
    B. Blue over white, red over green, brown on top
    C. Red on left, white on right, black at the top
    D. Green on the left, brown on top

Answer 16

A. White on right, smoke over fire (black over red), brown in the middle

Question 17

17. Which of the following is a step in the five-step rhythm interpretation process?
    A. Assess for changes in blood pressure
    B. Determine if the P waves are present and where they are coming from
    C. Listen for heart sounds
    D. Check for the presence of peripheral edema

Answer 17

B. Determine if the P waves are present and where they are coming from

Question 18

18. Which method for calculating heart rate involves counting the number of small boxes between two R waves and dividing by 1500?
    A. Rule of 6 Second Strip
    B. Rule of 300
    C. Rule of 1500
    D. Rule of 10

Answer 18

C. Rule of 1500

Question 19

19. What is a normal sinus rhythm?
    A. Irregular rhythm with a prolonged PR interval
    B. Regular rhythm with normal P waves and a QRS complex
    C. Regular rhythm with frequent ectopic beats
    D. Irregular rhythm with an absent T wave

Answer 19

B. Regular rhythm with normal P waves and a QRS complex

Question 20

20. In which scenario is the Rule of 6 Second Strip used for calculating the heart rate?
    A. When the rhythm is irregular
    B. When the PR interval is abnormal
    C. In patients with bradycardia
    D. When there is a history of heart disease

Answer 20

A. When the rhythm is irregular