collective EKG questions

Question 1

first degree heart block (explain characteristics)

Answer 1

everything is normal except the PR interval is greater than 0.20 seconds

Question 2

einthoven triangle (what is it?)

Answer 2

defined as an equilateral triangle that is used as a model of standard limb lead used to record ekgs.

Question 3

average heart rate for toddlers (1-3 yrs)

Answer 3

80-130 bpm

Question 4

ischemia is what

Answer 4

lack of blood flow to the heart

Question 5

how long is the entire ekg ?

Answer 5

12 seconds long.

Question 6

couplet means what

Answer 6

2 PVCs in a row

Question 7

if a client’s rhythm turns from normal sinus rhythm –> asystole. what do you do ?

Answer 7

check leads and client

Question 8

characteristics of 2nd deg Mobitz type I AV block

Answer 8

> progressive prolongation of the PR interval, which eventually culminates in a non-conducted P wave.

> it’s often evident by clustering of QRS complexes in groups that are separated by ^

Question 9

lead one, two, and three are what kind of leads?

Answer 9

standard

Question 10

vasoconstriction (what is it)

Answer 10

blood vessels decrease in diameter

Question 11

when performing an EKG on an infant, where should the tech place the electrode for lead V3R?

Answer 11

between V2 and V4 on the RIGHT side of the chest

Question 12

which are the LIMB leads?

Answer 12

leads 1, 2, and 3

Question 13

lead I (which extremities is it?)

Answer 13

right and left arm

Question 14

lead II (what extremities is it?)

Answer 14

right arm and left leg

Question 15

lead III (what extremities is it?)

Answer 15

left arm and left leg

Question 16

triplet

Answer 16

3 PVC’s in a row

Question 17

time frame occupied by one lead on a reg. 12-lead EKG ?

Answer 17

3 seconds

Question 18

angle of Louis (what is it?)

Answer 18

landmark that locates the top of the heart

Question 19

3rd degree AV block characteristics?

Answer 19

> when there are more P waves than QRS complexes, and there is NO relationship between them!

Question 20

idioventricular (what is it)

Answer 20

> only wide and bizarre complexes at a very slow rate

Question 21

which ekg lead provides a view of the heart from the standard frontal plane?

Answer 21

lead I

> lead I records electrical activity between the right and left arm electrodes, with the positive electrode on the left arm and the negative electrode on the right arm.

Question 22

a prolonged PR interval on an EKG is indicative of which condition?

Answer 22

first-deg heart block

> in 1st deg heart block, there is a delay in the electrical conduction from the atria to the ventricles, resulting in a prolonged PR interval
it’s NOT atrial fib, because a-fib is characterized by an irregularly irreg. rhythm, w/ NO distinct P waves and irregular QRS complexes.

Question 23

P wave (what does it represent ?)

Answer 23

atrial depolarization

> electrical activation of the atria as they prepare to contract.
during the P wave, the electrical impulse generated by the SA node spreads through the atria, causing them to contract and pump blood into the ventricles.

Question 24

QRS complex (what does it represent?)

Answer 24

ventricular DEpolarization

> the electrical activation of the ventricles as they prepare to contract

Question 25

T wave (what does it represent?)

Answer 25

ventricular repolarization > electrical recovery of the ventricles following their contraction. > during the T wave, the ventricles are repolarizing, meaning they are returning to their resting state after depolarization (QRS complex), and contraction.

Question 26

what does the ST segment represent?

Answer 26

time between ventricular depolarization (QRS complex) and repolarization (t wave). > it represents the period when the ventricles are fully depolarized and are preparing to repolarize.

Question 27

which rhythm features a 'sawtooth' appearance?

Answer 27

A-flutter > this is characterized by rapid, regular atrial depolarizations at a rate of 250-350 beats per minute. > the atrial depolarizations appear as a series of rapid, uniform waves that resemble a sawtooth pattern.

Question 28

when instructing a pt. about a transtelephonic monitor with loop memory what should you tell the pt.?

Answer 28

press the record button on the device when you being to feel dizzy or have chest pain

Question 29

an EKG tech is performing a posterior 12-lead EKG for a pt. which of the following should the tech place along the paraspinous border?

Answer 29

V9

Question 30

you are instructing a pt. about using a transtelephonic event monitor using a heart card monitoring device. which site should the pt. apply the card to activate it during an event?

Answer 30

over the middle to lower part of the sternum

Question 31

temporal

Answer 31

most accurate for measuring body temp

Question 32

which speed controls should you set for a pt. with a heart rate of 150/min?

Answer 32

50 mm/second normal is 25 mm/second

Question 33

pt. with dextrocardia, where should you place V1?

Answer 33

left sternal border, 4th intercostal space

Question 34

why should you NOT use electrodes for more than 2 consecutive EKG tracings?

Answer 34

the electrodes will not conduct accurately after 2 EKG tracings

Question 35

which pos. for a pt during nuclear stress test while cam is scanning?

Answer 35

supine with arms ABOVE head

Question 36

what differentiates junctional rhythm from accelerated idioventricular rhythm?

Answer 36

accelerated idioventricular rhythm has wide QRS complexes.

Question 37

bp for adolescent (range) ?

Answer 37

98/78 mm Hg

Question 38

pt. had a 12-lead EKG and doesn't understand why they now need ambulatory monitoring, what should you say ?

Answer 38

your provider wants to study your heart over a longer period of time.

Question 39

a pt. suddenly goes into v-tach, what do you do?

Answer 39

notify a licensed practitioner to evaluate the pt.

Question 40

you are reviewing a tracing for a pt. with a ventricular pacemaker. what rhythm pattern should you expect after the pacing spike?

Answer 40

wide QRS interval why? > the direct stimulation of the ventricles by the pacemaker, bypassing the normal conduction pathway and resulting in delayed ventricular activation.

Question 41

which finding would you report while performing an exercise stress test?

Answer 41

decreased heart rate

Question 42

An ekg tech is preparing a pt. for a standard 12-lead ekg. Which 3 leads should the tech place at the same horizontal level ?

Answer 42

V4, 5, 6

Question 43

how can the tech verifiy that a pt. understands the Holter monitor instructions ?

Answer 43

Have pt. repeat the instructions back

Question 44

an EKG tech is caring for a pt. in a provider’s clinic who asks why the tech performs a 12-lead EKGs as part of the physical exam. Which response should the tech make ?

Answer 44

The results can be used to determine if changes have occurred since the last ekg

Question 45

Which of the following actions should and ekg tech perform for a pt, immediately BEFORE an exercise stress test ?

Answer 45

measure bp and obtain ekg while pt, is supine, sitting, and standing up

Question 46

Which of the following is an expected finding of impaired conduction through the AV node ?

Answer 46

Prolonged pr interval

Question 47

Derogatory comments, vocal

Answer 47

Slander

Question 48

Libel

Answer 48

Written defamation

Question 49

An ekg tech is educating a pt, about home use of an ambulatory monitor. Which of the following actions should the tech instruct the pt, to take if any of the electrodes become loose?

Answer 49

Apply surgical tape to the electrodes to keep them in place

Question 50

Interrupted baseline is caused by

Answer 50

Lead corrosion

Question 51

Somatic tremor is caused by

Answer 51

pt. movement

Question 52

Wandering baseline is caused by

Answer 52

poor contact w/ electrode (body hair, oils, lotion, electrode gel being dried out, etc.)

Question 53

Electrical interference is caused by

Answer 53

AC interference/ other electronics

Question 54

Broken recording is caused by

Answer 54

Frayed/broken leads

Question 55

what is cause for discontinuing stress test ?

Answer 55

ST elevation

Question 56

Which vs change during an exercise stress test should indicate pt, is expressing distress?

Answer 56

Increase of respirations from 18 -> 36 per min.

Question 57

An ekg tech is reviewing a tracing for a pt, who has a VENTRICULAR PACEMAKER. Which rhythm pattern should tech expect after pacing spike?

Answer 57

Wide qrs interval.

Question 58

ekg tech is performing exercise stress test for pt, who exhibits v-fib on tracing. What should the tech do?

Answer 58

Determine if pt. Is responsive

Question 59

Example of a pt, who would get a chemical stress test ?

Answer 59

Pt who is 40 yrs old and unable to walk due to presence of cast on full leg.

Question 60

What describes a complete cardiac cycle in a healthy heart ?

Answer 60

P wave, QRS complex, and T wave

Question 61

performing a 12-lead, on a pt, who is 4 y.o., Where should V6 go?

Answer 61

Left midaxillary line

Question 62

pt, is experiencing heart palpitations. Which intervention should the tech expect the provider to prescribe ?

Answer 62

Holter monitor

Question 63

Which is a result of atrial depolarization?

Answer 63

P wave

Question 64

angina

Answer 64

chest pain

Question 65

dyspnea

Answer 65

diff. breathing

Question 66

aphasia

Answer 66

affects a person's ability to communicate

Question 67

atherosclerosis

Answer 67

buildup of plaque

Question 68

edema

Answer 68

inflammation of body's tissues

Question 69

thrombus

Answer 69

blood clot

Question 70

right leg

Answer 70

ground

Question 71

diff. between a-fib and a-flutter!

Answer 71

a-fib: > no identifiable p-waves >irreg. but normal QRS a-flutter: > sawtooth waves >much faster than a-fib

Question 72

characteristics of 3rd deg heart block (AV block)

Answer 72

extra p-waves visible, PR constantly changing, block between atria & ventricles

Question 73

average heart rate for infant (1-12 mo)

Answer 73

80-140 bpm

Question 74

qt interval is measurement btwn....

Answer 74

VENTRICULAR DEpolarization and REpolarization

Question 75

characteristics of 2nd deg type 1 heart block

Answer 75

>PR interval gets progressively longer and longer, until there is a p wave and no qrs

Question 76

performing an EKG on an infant, where should tech place V3R?

Answer 76

btwn. V2 & V4 on R side

Question 77

idioventricular means

Answer 77

only wide and bizarre complexes @ a very slow rate

Question 78

triplet =

Answer 78

3 pvc's in a row

Question 79

triplet vs. trigemny

Answer 79

triplet: 3 pvc's in a row trigemny: every 3rd beat is a PVC!

Question 80

bigeminy =

Answer 80

every other beat is a PVC

Question 81

bigeminy vs. couplet

Answer 81

bigeminy: every other beat is a PVC couplet: 2 PVCs in a row

Question 82

oxygen rich is to where ? + what side of heart ?

Answer 82

AWAY from heart and lungs left side

Question 83

average heart rate for TODDLERS (1-3)

Answer 83

80-130 bpm!!

Question 84

PVC =

Answer 84

premature early beat that is wide and bizarre

Question 85

average heart rate for NEWBORNS

Answer 85

120-160 bpm

Question 86

ischemia =

Answer 86

lack of blood flow to heart

Question 87

average heart rate for school age (6-15)?

Answer 87

70-100 bpm

Question 88

characteristics of 1st deg heart block

Answer 88

everything normal BUT PR is >0.20 seconds !

Question 89

characteristics of 2nd deg type II heart block

Answer 89

PR int. constantly same, but some P-waves have no QRS

Question 90

differences btwn 2nd deg type I and II?

Answer 90

type I: PR. *progressively* gets longer and longer, until QRS is dropped (there is a p wave and no qrs) type II: PR is *constantly* same, but some P-waves have no QRS.