NHA NOW EKG Technician

Practice Test
Study

Which of the following EKG machine functions should an EKG technician use to control and regulate
the height of EKG waveforms on the tracing?
a. Speed
b. Output display
c. Artifact filter
d. Gain

d. Gain

Which of the following methods should a EKG technician use when removing hair from electrode
placement sites for telemetry monitoring?
a. Dry shave
b. Wet shave
c. Tape
d. Clippers

d. Clippers

An EKG technician notes periods of sinus arrest on a patient's EKG tracing. The technician should
consider the sinus arrest to be a medical emergency when the arrest reaches which of the following
durations?
a. 6 sec
b. 4 sec
c. 3 sec
d. 1 sec

a. 6 sec

Which of the following lead groups are bipolar leads?

a. Leads aVR, aVL, and aVF
b. Leads I, II, and III
c. Leads V1, V2, and V3
d. Leads V4, V5, and V6

b. Leads I, II, III

An EKG technician is performing a second standard 12-lead EKG on a patient immediately following
the first test. For which of the following reasons should the technician recognize that resting tab
electrodes should not be used for more than two consecutive EKG tracings?
a. The electrodes cannot conduct the signal after two EKG tracings
b. The electrodes will not conduct accurately after two EKG tracings
c. The electrodes need to be cleaned after two EKG tracings
d. The electrodes will not re-adhere to the skin after being removed between tracings

b. The electrodes will not conduct accurately after two EKG tracings

In which of the following locations should an EKG technician place the electrode for leavd V5?
a. On the left midaxillary line, horizontal to lead V4
b. On the left anterior axillary line, horizontal to lead V4
c. On the left midclavicular line, fifth intercostal space
d. On the right margin of the sternum, fourth intercostal space

b. On the left anterior axillary line, horizontal to lead V4

An EKG technician is working with a patient who has a below-the-knee amputation of the left leg. In
which of the following locations should the technician place the right leg electrode?
a. On the lower right foot
b. On the lower right abdomen
c. On the lower left torso
d. On the lower right leg

b. On the lower right abdomen

Which of the following methods should an EKG technician use to store electrodes when not in use?
a. Loose in the EKG cart
b. In a folded paper bag
c. In an open plastic bag
d. In the original, foil-lined packaging

d. In the original, foil-lined packaging

A serial EKG tracing shows a rhythm that does not match the last tracing that the EKG technician
performed. Which of the following actions should the technician take first?
a. Connect the patient to a different EKG machine.
b. Report the finding to the provider
c. Verify proper lead placement
d. Perform a maintenance check on the machine

c. Verify proper lead placement

Which of the following statements made by an EKG technician correctly prepares the patient for
telemetry monitoring?
a. "I will clean your skin with an alcohol pad"
b. "You may feel a slight warming sensation after the electrodes are placed on the skin"
c. "A mild rash or skin redness should be expected around the electrodes after 24 hours."
d. "Electrodes will be replaced once per week while you're in the hospital."

a. "I will clean your skin with an alcohol pad"

An EKG technician is performing a standard 12-lead EKG on a patient who is 4 years old. In which of
the following locations should the technician place the V6 electrodes?
a. Right midclavicular space
b. Left midclavicular space
c. Right midaxillary line
d. Left midaxillary line

d. Left midaxillary line

Which of the following sections of the EKG tracing should an EKG technician use to measure the QRS
complex?
a. End of the Q wave to the beginning of the S wave
b. Beginning of the Q wave to the beginning of the S wave
c. End of the Q wave to the beginning of the T wave
d. Beginning of the Q wave to the end of the S wave

d. Beginning of the Q wave to the end of the S wave

An EKG technician observes varying R-R intervals on an EKG for a 2-year-old patient. Which of the
following statements made by the technician would be correct?
a. "Irregular rhythms are rarely seen in children"
b. "This is life threatening. I must notify the physician immediately"
c. "The irregularity is normal and is a result of respiration"
d. "The rhythm is likely atrial fibrillation and requires elective cardioversion"

c. "The irregularity is normal and is a result of respiration"

An EKG technician is recording a patient's radial pulse rate and finds the pulse to be irregular. The
provider then takes the patient's apical pulse. The technician should recognize that which of the
following locations is used for this assessment?
a. Between the larynx and the left sternocleidomastoid muscle
b. Between the fifth and sixth ribs, at the left midclavicular line
c. The antecubital aspect of the left or right elbow
d. The thumb side of the left wrist

b. Between the fifth and sixth ribs, at the left midclavicular line

Which of the following descries a complete cardiac cycle in a healthy heart?

a. P wave, Q wave, and ST segment
b. P wave, QRS complex, and T wave
c. P wave, QRS complex, and QT interval
d. P wave, QRS complex, and P wave

b. P wave, QRS complex, and T wave

An EKG technician is preparing to perform an EKG for a patient who does not speak the same
language as the technician. Which of the following actions hsould the technician take to avoid
miscommunication with the patient?
a. Have a member of the patient's family translate
b. Point and use other forms of nonverbal communication
c. Rely on materials printed in the patient's native language
d. Have a bilingual staff member translate

d. Have a bilingual staff member translate

An EKG technician is instructing a patient about the use of a transtelephonic monitor with loop
memory. Which of the following instructions should the technician include?
a. "Press the record button on the device when you begin to feel dizzy or have chest pain"
b. "Remove the monitor when connecting to the phone or internet to send the recording to the
central monitoring location"
c. "Record a notation in your diary that describes the time and the activity that you were doing when
the pain started"
d. "Contact the technician at the central monitoring station whenever you begin to experience chest
pain

a. "Press the record button on the device when you begin to feel dizzy or have chest pain"

In a health adult patient, which of the following is the expected shape and direction of the P wave in
lead II?
a. Peaked and upright
b. Peaked and inverted
c. Rounded and inverted
d. Rounded and upright

d. Rounded and upright

Which of the following responses should an EKG technician make to a patient in an outpatient clinic
who is upset that the technician cannot share the results of the tracing?
a. "I'm sorry, but I only run the strip. I'm not trained to know what's on it."
b. "I understand your frustration. My role as the technician is to conduct the test correctly. The
provider is qualifies to interpret the results"
c. "I know it's difficult to wait, but from what I can see, you have nothing to worry about."
d. "I wish could help you. Some providers allow technicians to discuss the tracing, but your provider
won't let me communicate results to patients."

b. "I understand your frustration. My role as the technician is to conduct the test correctly. The provider
is qualifies to interpret the results"

An EKG technician is preparing a patient for a scheduled standard 12-lead EKG. Which of the following
actions should the technician take?
a. Assist the patient into Sims' position before a placing the electrodes
b. Apply an oil-free moisturizer to adhere the electrodes to the skin
c. Use an alcohol pad to cleanse the electrode placement sites.
d. Select the most muscular site for electrode placement

c. Use an alcohol pad to cleanse the electrode placement sites.

Which of the following factors can produce an artifact that appears as uniform. small spikes on an EKG
tracing?
a. Corroded leads
b. Improper grounding
c. Poor skin preparation
d. Patient movement

b. Improper grounding

Which of the following pulse points is most frequently used to check an adult's patient's pulse during
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)?
a. Popliteal
b. Carotid
c. Temporal
d. Dorsalis pedis

b. Carotid

An EKG technician is caring for a patient in a provider's clinic who asks why the technician performs a
standard 12- lead EKG as part of the physical examination. Which of the following responses should
the technician make?
a. "The test is used to determine whether your heart is receiving enough blood"
b."The results can be used to determine if changes have occurred since your last EKG."
c. "It is use to show your heart's rhythm for the past week"
d. "This test is used to measure your heart's stroke volume for the duration of the EKG."

b."The results can be used to determine if changes have occurred since your last EKG."

An EKG technician is monitoring a patient who is undergoing an exercise stress test. Which of the
following findings should indicate to the technician that the patient is experiencing an adverse
reaction?
a. Increase in blood pressure from 110/70 to 120/78 mm Hg
b. An oxygen saturation of 95%
c. Presence of sinus tachycardia with a regular R-R interval
d. Report of tingling sensations in the lower extremities.

d. Report of tingling sensations in the lower extremities.

Which of the following positions is appropriate for a patient during a nuclear stress test while the
camera is scanning?
a. Supine with the arms at the side
b. Supine with the arms above the head
c. Right-side lying with the arms slightly extended
d. Sitting upright with the head tilted back.

b. Supine with the arms above the head

Which of the following statements should an EKG technician include when preparing a patient for an
upcoming exercise stress test?
a. "Be sure to eat a light meal 6 to 8 hours prior to the test"
b. "Wear tight clothing around your lower abdominal area so the electrodes stay in place."
c. "Refrain from caffeine, smoking, or alcohol for at least 3 hours prior to the test."
d. "The procedure should take about 10 to 15 minutes."

c. "Refrain from caffeine, smoking, or alcohol for at least 3 hours prior to the test."

Which of the following patient finding indicates myocardial infarction?

a. Cyanosis
b. Facial drooping
c. Arm weakness
d. Aphasia

a. Cyanosis

When performing an EKG on an infant, in which of the following locations should the EKG technician
place the electrode for lead V3R?
a. Between V2 and V4 on the right side of the chest
b. Fourth intercostal space on the right side of the chest
c. Between V2 and V4 on the left side of the chest
d. Fourth intercostal space on the left side of the chest

a. Between V2 and V4 on the right side of the chest

When placing electrodes on the patient for telemetry, in which of the following locations should an
EKG technician place the ground electrode?
a. On the right upper arm
b. On the left upper arm
c. On the left lower leg
d. On the right lower leg

d. On the right lower leg

An EKG technician is called to the emergency department to perform a standard 12-lead EKG on a
patient. When the technician arrives, the patient is attached to a 5-lead monitor. Which of the
following actions should the technician take?
a. Apply the electrodes for the 12-lead EKG around the 5-lead electrodes.
b. Remove the electrodes for the 5-lead monitor before attaching the electrodes for the 12-lead EKG.
c. Attach seven electrodes and then perform the 12-lead EKG
d. Cancel the 12-lead EKG because the patient is attached to a 5-lead monitor.

b. Remove the electrodes for the 5-lead monitor before attaching the electrodes for the 12-lead EKG.

An EKG technician is reviewing a tracing for a patient who has a ventricular pacemaker. Which of the
following rhythm patterns should the technician expect after a pacing spike?
a. Regular P waves
b. AV delay between 0.12 and 0.16 sec
c. QRS interval between 0.06 and 0.10 sec
d. Wide QRS interval
d. Wide QRS interval

When performing a posterior EKG, which of the following is the correct location for placement of lead
V8?
a. Left midscapular line
b. Right midscapular line
c. Right posterior axillary line
d. Left posterior axillary line

a. Left midscapular line

Which of the following is the result of atrial depolarization?

a. T wave
b. QRS complex
c. P wave
d. U wave

c. P wave

An EKG technician is preparing to perform a standard 12-lead EKG tracing on a patient who has a heart
rate of 150/min. Which of the following speed controls should the technician select?
a. 5 mm/second
b. 10 mm/second
c. 25 mm/second
d. 50 mm/second

d. 50 mm/second

While performing a standard 12-lead EKG, an EKG technician notices that none of the leads are giving
a reading. Which of the following limbs should the technician check first when correcting this
problem?
a. Right arm
b. Left arm
c. Right leg
d. Left leg

c. Right leg

Which of the following activities should an EKG technician instruct a patient to record in the Holter
monitor diary?
a. Bike riding
b. Swimming
c. Driving
d. Sleeping position

a. Bike riding

When performing a stress test, an EKG technician should recognize that the test can be stopped when
the patient reaches what percentage of their target heart rate?
a. 25% to 40%
b. 45% to 60%
c. 65% to 80%
d. 85% to 100%

d. 85% to 100%

An EKG technician should follow which of the following recommendations regarding infection control
practices in health care settings?
a. Artificial nails should be no longer than 1.27 cm (0.5 in) in length
b. Use an alcohol-based hand rub if there is visible contamination on the hands.
c. Remove soiled gloves prior to touching uncontaminated surfaces
d. Wear the same gloves while performing different procedures on the same patient

c. Remove soiled gloves prior to touching uncontaminated surfaces

Which of the following arteries is the best location for an EKG technician to use to measure the heart
rate for an adult patient following an exercise stress test?
a. Radial
b. Carotid
c. Femoral
d. Brachial

a. Radial

Which of the following actions should an EKG technician perform for a patient immediately before an
exercise stress test?
a. Measure blood pressure and obtain an EKG while the patient is supine, sitting, and standing up.
b. Ensure the patient has taken all prescription medications per usual administration schedule.
c. Use soap and water to shave the skin prior to electrode placement
d. Confirm the patient has not had anything to eat or drink for 6 hr before the test.

a. Measure blood pressure and obtain an EKG while the patient is supine, sitting, and standing up.

Which of the following sites is the most accurate for an EKG technician to use when measuring a
patients body temperature?
a. Oral
b. Axillary
c. Temporal
d. Tympanic

c. Temporal

During an exercise stress text, a patient reports heaviness on his chest and becomes diaphoretic. The
EKG technician should recognize the findings as manifestations of which of the following conditions?
a. Transient ischemic attack
b. Cerebrovascular accident
c. Congestive heart failure
d. Myocardial infarction
d. Myocardial infarction

A thin spike before the P wave indicates that a pacemaker has been implanted to pace which of the
following?
a. Atria
b. Ventricles
c. Early repolarization
d. Late repolarization

a. Atria

Which of the following is cause for discontinuing a stress test?

a. Increased diaphoresis
b. Shortened PR interval
c. Increased heart rate
d. ST segment elevation

d. ST segment elevation

An EKG technician is education a patient about home use of an ambulatory monitor. Which of the
following actions should the technician instruct the patient to take if any electrodes become loose?
a. Use an alcohol swab to wipe dirt and oils from the skin
b. Apply surgical tape to the electrodes to keep them in place
c. Shave hair from the sites and replace the electrodes
d. Apply fresh electrodes from the same manufacturer

b. Apply surgical tape to the electrodes to keep them in place

An EKG technician notes a standard 12-lead EKG tracing shows an interrupted baseline. The technician
knows that this artifact is most likely caused by which of the following?
a. Improper skin preparation
b. Patient tremors
c. Improper grounding
d. Lead corrosion

d. Lead corrosion

An EKG technician is caring for a patient who is admitted to an inpatient facility for chest pain. Which
of the following actions should the technician take when performing a series of EKG readings for this
patient?
a. Replace the electrodes between each reading
b. Apply conductive gel to electrodes before application
c. Apply silver electrodes that can be checked daily
d. Rotate electrode positioning daily to reduce skin irritation

c. Apply silver electrodes that can be checked daily

An EKG technician is speaking with a patient on the phone. The patient is wearing a Holter monitor
and reports severe chest pain and shortness of breath. Which of the following actions should the
technician take?
a. Have someone call emergency services while remaining on the call with the patient
b. Remind the patient to document the incident in the patient diary.
c. Place the patient on hold and consult with the patient's provider.
d. Tell the patient to hang up the phone and call emergency services

a. Have someone call emergency services while remaining on the call with the patient

When applying a Holter monitor, how many monitor leads are placed on the patient?
a. Five
b. Six
c. 10
d. 12

a. Five

Which of the following is the most effective technique for an EKG technician to use to verify that a
patient understands the Holter monitor instructions?
a. Ask the patient if they understand the instructions
b. Have the patient repeat the instructions back
c. Watch the patient for signs of understanding
d. Have the patient complete a test about the instructions

b. Have the patient repeat the instructions back

For which of the following patients should an EKG technician expect to see somatic interference on
the EKG tracing?
a. A 60-year-old patient who is sweating profusely
b. A 20-year-old patient who is experiencing a seizure
c. A 10-year-old patient who is watching TV
d. A 30-year-old patient who is using a cell phone.

b. A 20-year-old patient who is experiencing a seizure

An EKG technician is performing an exercise stress test for a patient who exhibits ventricular
fibrillation on the EKG tracing. Which of the following actions should the technician take first?
a. Determine if the patient is responsive
b. Check the patient for breathing
c. Begin chest compressions
d. Apply automated external defibrillator (AED) pads.

a. Determine if the patient is responsive

An EKG technician has a prescription to perform an EKG tracing on an older adult patient who is
unconscious upon arrival at the emergency department. Which of the following actions should the
technician take?
a. Wait for the patient's adult child to arrive at the emergency department to obtain consent.
b. Assume implied consent because the patient's condition is critical.
c. Check the patient's insurance to ensure the EKG procedure is covered
d. Wait for the provider to arrive before performing the EKG.

b. Assume implied consent because the patient's condition is critical.

Which of the following lead groups forms Einthoven's triangle?

a. Leads V4, V5, and v6
b. Leads V1, V2, and V2
c. Leads aVR, aVL, and aVF
d. Leads I, II, and III

d. Leads I, II, and III

An EKG technician is performing a stress test for a patient. Which of the following EKG changes
indicates that the patient is beginning to show signs of myocardial ischemia?
a. PR interval of 0.16 seconds
b. QRS complex of 0.10 seconds
c. Depressed ST segment
d. Presence of U wave

c. Depressed ST segment

An EKG technician should recognize that a PR interval that spans four small boxes on the EKG paper
has which of the following durations?
a. 0.08 seconds
b. 0.12 seconds
c. 0.16 seconds
d. 0.2 seconds

c. 0.16 seconds

An EKG technician is preparing a patient for a standard 12-lead EKG. Which three leads should the
technician place at the same horizontal level?
a. Leads V1, V2, and V3
b. Leads V2, V3, and V4
c. Leads V3. V4, and V5
d. Leads V4, V5, and V6

d. Leads V4, V5, and V6

In which of the following situations is it acceptable for an EKG technician to share a patient's
protected health information?
a. An inquiry for training purposes for the quality assurance office.
b. A discussion with the patient's provider in the cafeteria
c. A conversation with an EKG technician from a sister facility
d. An unencrypted text message exchange with the patient's provider

a. An inquiry for training purposes for the quality assurance office.

An EKG technician is preparing to enter an inpatient room to perform a standard 12-lead EKG. Which
of the following actions should the technician take for a patient who is prescribed contact
precautions?
a. Wear an N-95 mask if there is a potential exposure to blood.
b. Disinfect the EKG machine immediately prior to entering the room.
c. Remove gloves before leaving the patient's room
d. Keep the door to the patient's room closed.

c. Remove gloves before leaving the patient's room

After completing a standard 12-lead EKG on a patient, which of the following actions should an EKG
technician take next?
a. Remove the electrodes and assist the patient to a sitting position
b. Remove the EKG tracing from the machine and provide privacy for the patient to get dressed.
c. Check that the tracing is free from artifacts and then disconnect the patient from the machine.
d. Tell the patient that the test is complete and the provider will be in shortly

c. Check that the tracing is free from artifacts and then disconnect the patient from the machine.

Which of the following findings is consistent with bradycardia?

a. Hyperventilation
b. Blood pressure of 100/80 mm Hg
c. Cold and clammy skin
d. Pulse rate of 140/min

c. Cold and clammy skin

An EKG technician should recognize that which of the following signs are often present when a patient
is experiencing ventricular tachycardia?
a. Multiple premature ventricular contractions in a row
b. Decreased heart rate
c. Absence of R-R interval
d. Narrow QRS complexes on the EKG tracing

a. Multiple premature ventricular contractions in a row

An EKG technician is reviewing an EKG tracing and notes asystole. Which of the following actions
should the technician take first.
a. Check the electrodes and leads
b. Check the patient
c. Call for help
d. Contact the provider

b. Check the patient

An EKG technician is reviewing the EKG tracing of a patient who has a ventricular pacemaker and
notes that the patient's heart rate is 76/min. The pacemaker is set to a rate of 70/min. Which of the
following should the technician expect to observe on the patient's tracing if the pacemaker is
operating as intended.
a. Pacer spikes are immediately followed by P waves.
b. Pacer spikes appear just after ever QRS complex
c .Pacer spikes appear just prior to every QRS complex
d. Pacer spikes do not appear on the tracing

d. Pacer spikes do not appear on the tracing

An EKG technician should recognize that which of the following is the most commonly used paper
speed for an EKG?
a. 5 mm/second
b. 10 mm/second
c. 25 mm/second
d. 50 mm/second

c. 25 mm/second

An EKG technician is performing an exercise stress test to evaluate a patient for coronary vascular
disease. Which of the following actions should technician take regarding this procedure?
a. Report unexpected dysrhythmias during the test
b. Evaluate the need for the patient to follow an exercise program
c. Prescribe oxygen if the patient reports shortness of breath during the test
d. Instruct the patient to cease cardiac medications after the test

a. Report unexpected dysrhythmias during the test

An EKG technician is caring for a patient who is experiencing heart palpitations. Which of the
following interventions should the technicians expect the provider to prescribe?
a. Vasodilator medication
b. Holter monitor
c. Cardiac inotropic medication
d. Chemical stress test

b. Holter monitor

An EKG technician is obtaining a pulse rate for a 2-year-old patient. Which of the following pulse rates
should the technician recognize as within the expected reference range for this patient?
a. 60/min
b. 75/min
c. 120/min
d. 150/min

c. 120/min

Which of the following vital sign changes during an exercise stress test should indicate to an EKG
technician that an adult patient is experiencing distress?
a. A decrease in temperature from 37.3° to 36.9°C (99.1° to 98.4°F)
b. An increase in pulse rate from 76 to 84/min
c. An increase in blood pressure from 120/80 to 128/84 mm HG
d. An increase in respirations from 18 to 36/min
d. An increase in respirations from 18 to 36/min

Which of the following methods can be used to calculate both regular and irregular rhythms?
a. 6-second method
b. P-P method
c. 1500 method
d. 300 method

a. 6-second method

An EKG technician is performing a standard 12-lead EKG for an adult patient who is in the hospital.
The patient becomes unresponsive, stops breathing, and does not have a pulse. Which of the
following actions should be technician take first?
a. Place the patient in the recovery position
b. Start chest compressions
c. Provide two breaths to the patient
d. Retrieve the automated external defibrillator

b. Start chest compressions

An EKG technician is performing a standard 12-lead EKG for a patient who is experiencing accelerated
junctional rhythm. Which of the following speed settings should the technician use?
a. 5 mm/second
b. 10 mm/second
c. 25 mm/second
d. 50 mm/second

c. 25 mm/second

For which of the following patients should an EKG technician expect the provider to prescribe a
chemical stress test?
a. A patient who is 35 years old and requires interpretive services
b. A patient who is 40 years old and is unable to walk due to the presence of a full leg cast
c. A patient who is 55 years old and has been talking anticoagulants for a period of 1 year
d. A patient who is 60 years old and has a history of coronary artery disease

b. A patient who is 40 years old and is unable to walk due to the presence of a full leg cast

Which of the following waves should an EKG technician use to determine the regularity of the
ventricular rate?
a. U wave
b. T wave
c. R wave
d. P wave

c. R wave

Which of the following leads is created between the left arm and left leg?
a. Lead aVL
b. Lead aVF
c. Lead III
d. Lead I

c. Lead III

An EKG technician is performing a standard 12-lead EKG for a patient. The technician should identify
that which of the following information is recorded by lead I?
a. Electrical activity between the right arm and left leg
b. Electrical activity between the right arm and left arm
c. Electrical activity between the left arm and leg leg
d. Electrical activity between the right leg and left leg

b. Electrical activity between the right arm and left arm

Which of the following methods should an EKG technician use to calculate a patient's heart rate from
the EKG tracing?
a. Calculate the mean rate and divide 1,500 by that rate
b. Count the number of small boxes in two cardiac cycles
c. Divide 300 by the number of large boxes between two R waves
d. Count the number of large boxes between P and T waves

c. Divide 300 by the number of large boxes between two R waves

An EKG technician is entering a patient's history into the electronic health record. Which of the
following statements by the patient should the technician enter into the social history section?
a. "I have smoked cigarettes for a long time"
b. "My parents both had heart attacks"
c. "I had an appendectomy 1 year ago"
d. "I had chicken pox when I was 10 years old"

a. "I have smoked cigarettes for a long time"

An EKG technician is preparing to perform a standard 12-lead EKG for a healthy adult patient. In which
of the following positions should the technician place the patient for testing
a. Left later position
b. Trendelenburg position
c. Right lateral position
d. Supine position

d. Supine position

An EKG technician is performing an exercise stress test when the patient becomes unresponsive with
no breathing or pulse. The technician uses an automated external defibrillator (AED) to administer a
shock to the patient. Which of the following instructions should the technician expect next?
a. Check the patient for responsiveness
b. Resume performing CPR on the patient
c. Check the patient's airway
d. Monitor the patient's pulse
b. Resume performing CPR on the patient

Which of the following leads i s created when an EKG technician places the electrode to the right of
the patient's sternum at the fourth intercostal space?
a. Leave V1
b. Lead I
c. Lead aVR
d. Lead MCL2

a. Leave V1

For which of the following types of heart block should an EKG technician observe the patient for signs
and symptoms of decreased cardiac output that could lead to cardiac arrest?
a. First degree AV block
b. Second-degree AV block, Mobitz I
c. Second degree AV block, Mobitz II
d. Third degree AV block

d. Third degree AV block

An EKG technician working at a central monitoring station notes that a patient has a rhythm of
ventricular tachycardia. Which of the following actions should the technician take first?
a. Prepare for defibrillation of the patient
b. Document the rhythm in the patient's medical record
c. Notify a licensed practitioner to evaluate the patient
d. Verify the time of the last dose of the patient's cardiac medications.

c. Notify a licensed practitioner to evaluate the patient

For which of the following reasons should an EKG technician instruct a patient to wear loose-fitting
clothing while wearing a Holter monitor?
a. To reduce artifact on the tracing
b. To increase the height of the waveforms
c. To increase the width of the waveforms
d. To minimize patient self-consciousness

a. To reduce artifact on the tracing

An EKG technician is measuring the intervals on an EKG tracing. Which of the following is an expected
finding of impaired conduction through the AV node?
a. Decreased QT interval
b. Prolonged QRS interval
c. Prolonged QT interval
d. Prolonged PR interval

d. Prolonged PR interval

An EKG technician hears another staff member making derogatory comments about a patient's
appearance. This is an example of which of the following torts?
a. Libel
b. Assault
c. Slander
d. Battery

c. Slander

An EKG technician should recognize that which of the following situations is an allowable disclosure of
patient information according to HIPAA guidelines?
a. Patients write their names on a basic sign in sheet at the registration desk
b. An employer calls the clinic to verify an employee's excused absence
c. A patient can read the demographics screen of another patient's electronic chart while checking in
at the desk.
d. An employee gives a coworker access to their username and password to retrieve a patient's
laboratory report.

a. Patients write their names on a basic sign in sheet at the registration desk

An EKG technician should recognize that which of the following is characteristic of the EKG tracing for
a patient who has atrial fibrillation?
a. R-R interval is irregularly irregular
b. Clearly defined T waves
c. P-P interval occurs regularly
d. Prolonged QRS duration

a. R-R interval is irregularly irregular

A patient has a prescription to wear a Holter monitor for 24 hr. Which of the following statements by
the patient indicates an understanding of home care instructions?
a. "I can turn the Holter monitor off in order to shower or bathe"
b. "I should record spontaneous symptoms unrelated to an activity"
c. "I should not replace electrodes that come loose"
d. "I should avoid daily activities that might trigger heart abnormalities"

b. "I should record spontaneous symptoms unrelated to an activity"

An EKG technician is preparing to explain the EKG procedure to a pediatric patient. Which of the
following terms should the technician use when explaining the electrodes?
a. Stickers
b. Electrodes
c. Conduction devices
d. Leads

a. Stickers

An EKG technician has performed an EKG on a patient. Which of the following actions by the
technician would protect the patient's health information in accordance with HIPAA regulations?
a. Sending the EKG in an encrypted electronic file to the patient's employer
b. Using corrective fluid on the patient's name, address, and physical description on the EKG printout
c. Restricting the patient's access to the EKG file
d. Hand delivering the EKG to the patient's provider

d. Hand delivering the EKG to the patient's provider