EKG Technician Certification Review 22-23

Which of the following waves on an EKG tracing relates to electrical activity in the atria?

• The Q wave

• The T wave

• The P wave

• The R wave

Which of these questions is an appropriate way of checking one patient identifier before performing an EKG test?

• “Is your name George Disher?”

• “What is your last name, George?”

• “Can you please state your first and last names?”

• “Are your initials G.D.?”

Widened QRS complexes on an EKG tracing are signs of

• Myocardial infarction

• A ventricular dysrhythmia

• An atrial dysrhythmia

• Hypertension

A patient is nearing the target heart rate during an exercise stress test when he becomes diaphoretic and complains of intense chest pain. Which response from the EKG technician is best?

• Stop the test and alert the doctor immediately.

• Tell the patient to hold on just a bit longer since hitting the target heart rate will provide better information about why he’s experiencing chest pain.

• Stop the test and begin CPR immediately.

• Continue the test while administering oxygen.

Under which of the following circumstances can an EKG technician discuss the details of a patient’s EKG or treatment? (Choose two correct answers.)

• When a patient asks the technician for an interpretation of the EKG right after it is performed.

• When the technician is delivering the completed EKG and the patient’s chart to the cardiologist who ordered the test

• When a colleague asks for information about a relative’s health

• When the patient’s insurance company calls to confirm that an EKG was ordered and conducted.

• When the patient’s employer calls to ask if he is fit to continue working.

Which of these sentences demonstrates patient understanding of directions for Holter monitoring?

• “I will call the office each time I experience symptoms.”

• “I will cover the electrodes, lead wires, and monitor with plastic when I swim or shower.”

• “I will change the electrodes every 12 hours.”

• “I will make a note in the diary when I exercise.”

This patient would require no changes to positioning or electrode placement:

• An elderly man with orthopnea

• A 35-year-old woman who is 20 weeks pregnant

• An 8-year-old child

• A 40-year-old man with a full cast on his right leg

An intellectually disabled adult patient is frightened of the EKG machine and does not want to lie down for the test. What should the EKG technician do?

• Gently but firmly assist the patient to lie down

• Tell the patient she will give him a lollipop after the test is over

• Offer to show the machine to the patient and answer any questions.

• Reschedule the test for a later time.

Which leads will show changes if an EKG technician has reversed the right and left arm leads?

• Leads II and aVL

• Leads I and aVR

• Leads V2 and V4

• Leads III and aVF

An EKG technician sees pacing spikes on a patient’s EKG but no electrical activity following the spikes. This is likely due to a pacemaker error known as

• Failure to capture

• Failure to sense

• Failure to fire

• Failure to pace