EKG Review (1)

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

• The P wave

• The T wave

• The R wave

• The Q wave

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

• “Is your name George Disher?”

• “Are your initials G.D.?”

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

• “What is your last name, George?”

Widened QRS complexes on an EKG tracing are signs of

• Hypertension

• An atrial dysrhythmia

• Myocardial infarction

• A ventricular dysrhythmia

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 begin CPR immediately.

• Stop the test and alert the doctor immediately.

• Continue the test while administering oxygen.

• 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.

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 sense

• Failure to fire

• Failure to capture

• Failure to pace

Measuring vital signs includes

• Checking pulse, body temperature, blood pressure, and respirations.

• Checking pulse, regularity of heart rhythm, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.

• Checking pulse, body temperature, blood pressure, and pain level.

• Checking pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and pain level

An ectopic focus is a group of cells in the heart that initiates an impulse

• Later than it should be

• In an abnormal location

• Earlier than it should be

• That does not cause a contraction

When placing electrodes for an EKG on a 5-year-old child where should the technician place the V4 electrode?

• On the left side of the chest at the fourth intercostal space just to the left of the sternum.

• On the left side of the chest at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line.

• On the right side of the chest immediately beside the V1 electrode

• On the right side of the chest at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line.

An EKG tracing in which the P waves are not uniform may indicate a dysrhythmia originating in the

• Atria

• Purkinje fibers

• Bundle branches

• Ventricles

The bottom row in a 12-lead EKG tracing

• Shows only lead II

• Alternates between the unipolar leads

• Shows only lead I

• Alternates between the bipolar leads