NCCT PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS Flashcards
The ECG technician auscultates an apical pulse of 70 bpm in an older adult patient who is taking digoxin (Lanoxin). How should the ECG technician interpret this finding?
A. The patient is experiencing a pulse deficit.
B. The patient is experiencing bradycardia.
C. The patient’s heart rate is within normal limits.
D. The patient is experiencing tachycardia.
C. The patient’s heart rate is within normal limits.
Before entering a private room with monitored negative air the ECG technician should prepare by following
A. airborne and droplet precautions.
B. standard and contact precautions
C. airborne and contact precautions.
D. standard and airborne precautions.
D. standard and airborne precautions.
When performing an ECG on a child, the ECG technician should place:
A. V6 posterior wall of the chest.
B. V2 on the right side of the chest next to V1.
C. V4 two inches lower than on an adult.
D. V3 on the right side of the chest.
D. V3 on the right side of the chest.
Which of the following variations in ECG results is likely for patients with a BBB?
A. Elevated ST segment
B. Presence of a pacing spike
C. Inverted P-wave
D. Decreased PR interval
B. Presence of a pacing spike
Blood pressure measures cardiovascular function by measuring the force of blood exerted on:
A. venules.
B. veins.
C. capillaries.
D. arteries.
D. arteries.
An adult patient with vital signs of T 37.0 C, P 72, R 18, B/P 192/102 mm Hg indicates which of the following conditions?
A. Hypoxia
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Hypertension
D. Tachycardia
C. Hypertension
Ventricular pacemaker cells are found at the:
A. Purkinje fibers.
B. SA node.
C. right bundle branch.
D. left bundle branch.
A. Purkinje fibers.
When a patient with a pacemaker has an ECG performed, the strip will contain:
A. small spikes where a P wave may not be seen.
B. an introverted T wave.
C. an elevated ST segment.
D. large spikes where a QRS complex is absent.
A. small spikes where a P wave may not be seen.
A patient with the left arm amputated comes in for an ECG. Which of the following is the proper placement for the left arm lead on this patient?
A. Moved to the back on the side of the left shoulder moving the right lead to match
B. As close to the site as possible but higher on the limb and in a similar position
C. Moved to the back side of the left shoulder and in a similar position
D. The same as it would be for a patient without a left arm amputated
B. As close to the site as possible but higher on the limb and in a similar position
In electrocardiography, the degrees of variation (horizontally and vertically) are known as the:
A. amplitude and voltage.
B. isoelectric line and baseline.
C. time and amplitude.
D. deflection and baseline.
C. time and amplitude.
The ECG technician is performing a 12-lead ECG on a patient and notices that lead Ill does not appear on the tracing. Which of the following actions should the ECG technician take?
A. Ask the patient to lie still to reduce somatic
interference.
B. Add an extra electrode to the 5th intercostal
space.
C. Re-center the stylus and repeat the tracing.
D. Check for a loose wire, reconnect, and repeat the tracing.
D. Check for a loose wire, reconnect, and repeat the tracing.
Which of the following is the pulse site MOST commonly used when taking a pulse rate for routine vital signs on the adult patient?
A. Brachial
B. Carotid
C. Apical
D. Radial
D. Radial
Modified electrode placement is necessary for which of the following special circumstances?
A. Breast implants
B. L ventral wall abnormalities
C. Ventral burn scarring
D. Amputated limb
D. Amputated limb
When sinus bradycardia is present, the patient’s heart rhythm is:
A. less than 60 BPM and all other measurements are normal.
B. less than 60 BPM and all other measurements are abnormal.
C. higher than 110 BPM and all other measurements are abnormal.
D. higher than 110 BPM and all other measurements are normal.
A. less than 60 BPM and all other measurements are normal.
The presence of which of the following conditions is MOST likely to affect a patient’s temperature when measuring vital signs?
A. Infection
B. Tinnitus
C. Syncope
D. Atrophy
A. Infection
Which of the following actions should the ECG technician take if a 3 second period of sinus arrest is observed on an asymptomatic patient?
A. Check the patient for a pulse.
B. Ask the patient to remain still.
C. Call a code.
D. Inform the physician about the pause.
D. Inform the physician about the pause.
A somatic tremor on an ECG strip can be identified by:
A. irregularly spaced, jagged peaks.
B. small drifting spikes.
C. irregularly spaced, uniform peaks
D. small inverted spikes.
A. irregularly spaced, jagged peaks.
Which of the following actions should the ECG technician take FIRST when flat lines appear on the ECG tracing?
A. Check the patient for responsiveness.
B. Recalibrate the ECG machine.
C. Untangle the electrodes.
D. Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
A. Check the patient for responsiveness.
A female patient has come in for an ECG following a mastectomy. ECG electrodes should be placed:
A. three inches lower than the surgery site to avoid disruption of the site.
B. in the intercostal spaces above the heart to avoid the surgical site.
C. three inches above the surgery site to avoid
disruption of the site.
D. as close to the surgery site as possible without touching the site.
D. as close to the surgery site as possible without touching the site.
Placement of the ground lead on an ECG is on the:
A. RL on the soft tissue of the leg.
B. LL on the muscular portion of the leg.
C. LL on the soft tissue of the leg.
D. RL on the muscular portion of the leg.
A. RL on the soft tissue of the leg.
Which of the following patient conditions requires the lead placement shown in the diagram above?
A. Pregnancy
B. Dextrocardia
C. Left sided chest tube
D. Left sided mastectomy
B. Dextrocardia
The expected time frame to obtain a reading when measuring a temperature with a digital thermometer is which of the following?
A. 2 to 3 minutes
B. A few seconds
C. Approximately 30 seconds
D. 3 to 4 minutes
B. A few seconds
In a patient with a heart that deviates to the right of the sternum, the ECG technician should place the precordial leads in which of the following positions?
A. Anterior to the negative electrode
B. Right to left
C. Left to right
D. Posterior to the positive electrode
C. Left to right
To correct a wandering baseline, the ECG technician should:
A. have the patient remove jewelry.
B. unplug the electrical equipment around the ECG.
C. secure loose electrodes.
D. replace broken cables.
C. secure loose electrodes.
What is the approximate amount of time for the QRS complex to record on an ECG?
A. 0.04-0.08 seconds
B. 0.12-0.20 seconds
C. 0.04-0.10 seconds
D. 0.06-0.12 seconds
D. 0.06-0.12 seconds
Which of the following are characteristic of premature atrial contractions (PACs)? (Select the three answers.)
A. QRS complexes remain within normal limits (0.06-0.10).
B. P waves are the same shape and configuration.
C. PR interval measures are within normal limits
(0.12-0.20).
D. Rhythm will be regular with occasional early
complexes.
E. Atrial and ventricular rates are different.
A. QRS complexes remain within normal limits (0.06- 0.10).
C. PR interval measures are within normal limits (0.12-0.20).
D. Rhythm will be regular with occasional early complexes.
A multiform of three PVCs in a heart rate above 100 is called:
A. atrial tachycardia.
B. atrial fibrillation.
C. ventricular fibrillation.
D. ventricular tachycardia.
D. ventricular tachycardia.
Which of the following is the small upward curve representing repolarization of the ventricles?
A. T wave
B. U wave
C. P wave
D. QRS Complex
A. T wave
Which of the following instructions regarding a Holter monitor should be given to a patient?
(Select three answers.)
A. Press and hold event marker for the duration of the symptoms.
B. Record activity, time, and symptoms for each occurrence.
C. Press and release event marker for extreme chest pain.
D. Remove the monitor when showering.
E. Record chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, or fainting.
B. Record activity, time, and symptoms for each
occurrence.
C. Press and release event marker for extreme chest pain.
E. Record chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, or
fainting.
When performing an ECG on a pregnant woman in her third trimester, the ECG technician should place the:
A. patient on her left side and lower limb leads on her upper thighs.
B. lower limb leads on the patient’s ankles
C. lower limb leads on the patient’s side.
D. patient on her right side and lower limb leads on the lower abdomen.
A. patient on her left side and lower limb leads on her upper thighs.
An ECG technician obtains the tracing shown above on a patient. Which of the following actions should the ECG technician take?
A. Check for incorrect lead placement.
B. Place the patient in Trendelenburg’s position.
C. Remind the patient to remain as still as possible.
D. Ensure precordial lead wires are crossed to
balance polarization.
C. Remind the patient to remain as still as possible.
Which of the following are appropriate actions for the ECG technician to take when placing electrodes on a patient’s skin for a 24-hour Holter monitor? (Select three answers.)
A. Place limb leads with tabs facing up.
B. Abrade the skin with an alcohol pad or dry 4x4.
C. Avoid scars and incisions.
D. Place the electrodes on the arms and torso.
E. Remove excessive hair from the electrode site.
B. Abrade the skin with an alcohol pad or dry 4x4.
C. Avoid scars and incisions.
E. Remove excessive hair from the electrode site.
The patient asks the ECG technician why vital signs are taken at every office visit. Which of the following is the BEST response?
A. “To obtain a baseline measurement of your overall health status.”
B. “It is for diagnostic purposes.
C. “The physician requires it.”
D. “To comply with health insurance reimbursement policies.”
A. “To obtain a baseline measurement of your overall health status.”
During a treadmill stress test, which of the following vital signs should be monitored MOST frequently?
A. Pulse oximetry
B. Respiration
C. Blood pressure
D. Pulse
C. Blood pressure
Which of the following calculation methods should be used to determine heart rate in the strip shown above?
A. 300 method
B. 6 second method
C. 1500 method
D. R-R method
B. 6 second method
A cardiac cycle is detected on the ECG monitor, but the patient has no pulse. This is known as
A. PEA.
B. PAC
C. SVT.
D. PVC.
A. PEA.
While obtaining vitals on an infant, how is the heart rate measured?
A. Auscultate the apical pulse for 60 seconds.
B. Auscultate the brachial pulse for 60 seconds
C. Palpate the femoral pulse for 60 seconds
D. Palpate the radial pulse for 60 seconds.
A. Auscultate the apical pulse for 60 seconds.
Which of the following chambers of the heart is responsible for pumping blood through the aorta to the body?
A. Left atrium
B. Right atrium
C. Left ventricle
D. Right ventricle
C. Left ventricle
Disinfecting an ECG machine and lead wire surfaces with antimicrobial wipes after each patient use is an example of which of the following?
A. Medical asepsis
B. Biohazard precautions
C. Sterile technique
D. Surgical asepsis
A. Medical asepsis
Which of the following diagnostic procedures uses ultrasound to display an image of the structure of the heart?
A. Electrocardiogram
B. Angiogram
C. Electroencephalogram
D. Echocardiogram
D. Echocardiogram
The ECG technician needs to obtain vital signs on an emaciated 86-pound geriatric female with an oxygen mask prior to obtaining her ECG. Which of the following equipment should the ECG technician have on hand? (Select two answers.)
A. Child sphygmomanometer
B. Temporal thermometer
C. Oral thermometer with probe cover
D. Standard adult sphygmomanometer
E. Body mass index (BMI) machine
A. Child sphygmomanometer
B. Temporal thermometer
Which of the following instructions should be given to patients prior to stress testing?
(Select two answers.)
A. Eat a light meal two hours prior to the test.
B. Wear comfortable clothes, including athletic shoes.
C. Take all prescribed medications two hours prior to the test.
D. No food or drink is allowed after midnight prior to the test.
E. Refrain from alcohol, tobacco and caffeine 48 hours prior to the test.
A. Eat a light meal two hours prior to the test.
B. Wear comfortable clothes, including athletic shoes.
While monitoring a stress test on a 56-year-old male, the ECG technician should stop the test when the:
A. ECG technician sees that the patient is starting to sweat.
B. physician recognizes asymptomatic heart rhythm changes.
C. patient’s heart rate reaches 100.
D. patient has completed three stages of the test.
B. physician recognizes asymptomatic heart rhythm changes.
Which of the following pieces of equipment should the ECG technician anticipate using when taking a patient’s blood pressure?
A. Speculum
B. Otoscope
C. Pulse oximeter
D. Sphygmomanometer
D. Sphygmomanometer
When the patient is receiving a routine ECG, the waveform that indicates an increased risk for certain dysrhythmias and sudden death is a shorter or longer than normal
A. QT interval.
B. PR segment.
C. PR interval
D. ST segment.
A. QT interval.
To determine the quality of atrial activity on an ECG strip, the ECG technician should examine which of the following portions of the cardiac cycle?
A. T wave
B. PR interval
C. QT interval
D. ST segment
B. PR interval
Which of the following precautions should the ECG
technician take for a patient with dormant tuberculosis?
A. Airborne
B. Droplet
C. Standard
D. Contact
C. Standard
- Referring to the image, the medical professional will select which of the following sites to measure the heart rate when obtaining vital signs?
A. Radial artery
B. Cephalic vein
C. Brachial artery
D. Basilic vein
A. Radial artery
Which of the following arteries circulates blood to the kidneys?
A. Brachial
B. Carotid
C. Femoral
D. Renal
D. Renal
When performing a 12-lead ECG, which of the following positions demonstrates correct lead placement?
A. V4 is placed left midclavicular 4th intercostal space.
B. V5 is placed left midaxillary 5th intercostal space.
C. V5 is paced left midclavicular 4th intercostal space.
D. V4 is placed left midclavicular 5th intercostal space.
D. V4 is placed left midclavicular 5th intercostal
space.
Which of the following rhythms is shown in the strip above?
A. Ventricular fibrillation
B. Ventricular tachycardia
C. Trigeminy
D. Agonal rhythm
B. Ventricular tachycardia
A patient is being tested by way of ECG for a possible delay in electrical conduction from the SA node to the AV node. The ECG technician should look at which of the following parts of the ECG to confirm this diagnosis?
A. PR segment.
B. ST segment.
C. QRS complex.
D. P wave.
A. PR segment.
The ECG strip shown above indicates
A. an atrial paced rhythm.
B. a ventricular paced rhythm.
C. an SA block.
D. an AV block.
A. an atrial paced rhythm.
After performing an ECG, the ECG technician notices wandering baselines in the precordial leads. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate next step?
A. Re-evaluate chest leads.
B. Run the ECG again.
C. Make sure that all electronics are off in the room.
D. Replace electrodes on the limb leads.
A. Re-evaluate chest leads.
The physician orders an ECG on a patient with severe burns on his left arm. Which of the following alternate placements should the ECG technician use?
A. All upper limb leads symmetrically placed as close to the original site as possible
B. All upper limb leads placed substernally at the acromion process
C. Left upper limb lead placed as close to the original site as possible
D. Left upper limb lead placed substernally at the acromion process
A. All upper limb leads symmetrically placed as close to the original site as possible
Which of the following actions by the ECG technician should be performed prior to exercise stress testing? (Select three answers.)
A. Tell the patient which symptoms should be
reported if experienced during the test.
B. Inform the patient of expectations during the
testing.
C. Obtain the patient’s medical history and current medications.
D. Ensure that the monitor has fresh batteries.
E. Make sure the patient is in the prone position.
A. Tell the patient which symptoms should be reported if experienced during the test.
B. Inform the patient of expectations during the testing.
C. Obtain the patient’s medical history and current medications.
Which of the following vessels circulates blood away from the heart?
A. Arteries
B. Veins
C. Arterioles
D. Capillaries
A. Arteries
Which of the following is classified as the MOST dangerous arrhythmia?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Premature atrial contraction
C. Ventricular fibrillation
D. Premature ventricular contraction
C. Ventricular fibrillation
An ECG technician performs an ECG on a patient and upon completion the standardization mark appears as shown above. The ECG technician should recognize that the test was with the machine set to which of the following settings?
A. 20 mm/mV and 50 mm/sec.
B. 10 mm/mV and 25 mm/sec.
C. 5 mm/mV and 25mm/sec
D. 20 mm/mV and 25 mm/sec.
D. 20 mm/mV and 25 mm/sec.
The ECG technician is contacting a patient to request they make a follow-up appointment. Which of the following forms should the ECG technician verify prior to leaving this message on the patient’s voicemail?
A. Consent to Treat
B. HIPAA Confidentiality and Privacy
C. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
D. Assignment of Benefits
B. HIPAA Confidentiality and Privacy