ECG

Question 1

What does an Electrocardiogram (ECG) record?

Answer 1

The heart’s electrical activity

It helps identify arrhythmias, heart blocks, myocardial infarctions (MIs), and other cardiac conditions.

Question 2

What do the PQRST waves represent?

Answer 2

Different phases of the cardiac cycle.

Question 3

What is the normal heart rate range?

Answer 3

60-100 bpm.

Question 4

What is the function of the SA Node?

Answer 4

The Pacemaker (60-100 bpm).

Question 5

What does the AV Node do?

Answer 5

Delays impulse (40-60 bpm).

Question 6

What is the role of the Bundle of His?

Answer 6

Sends signals to the ventricles.

Question 7

What do Purkinje Fibers stimulate?

Answer 7

Ventricular contraction (20-40 bpm).

Question 8

Define Automaticity in the context of the heart.

Answer 8

The heart generates its own electrical impulses without needing the brain.

Question 9

What is Conductivity in cardiac cells?

Answer 9

Cardiac cells pass electrical signals between each other.

Question 10

What does Excitability refer to in the heart?

Answer 10

The heart reacts to electrical signals by contracting.

Question 11

What does the P Wave represent?

Answer 11

Atrial depolarization (atria contracting).

Question 12

What is the normal range for the PR Interval?

Answer 12

0.12 - 0.2 sec (3-5 small boxes).

Question 13

What does the QRS Complex indicate?

Answer 13

Ventricular depolarization (ventricles contracting).

Question 14

What should the ST Segment look like?

Answer 14

Should be flat (elevation = STEMI, depression = ischemia).

Question 15

What does the T Wave represent?

Answer 15

Ventricular repolarization (ventricles relaxing).

Question 16

How long is one small box on ECG paper?

Answer 16

0.04 seconds.

Question 17

How long is one large box on ECG paper?

Answer 17

0.2 seconds.

Question 18

What is the Six-Second Method for calculating heart rate?

Answer 18

Count R waves in a 6-second strip and multiply by 10.

Question 19

What is the R-R Interval Method?

Answer 19

Count large boxes between two R waves, divide into 300.

Question 20

What is the Small Box Method?

Answer 20

Count small boxes between two R waves, divide into 1500.

Question 21

What is the normal heart rate range for Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR)?

Answer 21

60-100 bpm.

Question 22

What characterizes Sinus Bradycardia?

Answer 22

Rate: <60 bpm, Regular rhythm, P waves present.

Question 23

What characterizes Sinus Tachycardia?

Answer 23

Rate: >100 bpm, Regular rhythm, P waves present.

Question 24

What is Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)?

Answer 24

Irregularly irregular rhythm, no clear P waves.

Question 25

What characterizes Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)?

Answer 25

Rate: >100 bpm, Wide QRS (>0.12 sec), No P waves.

Question 26

What does Ventricular Fibrillation (VFib) look like?

Answer 26

Chaotic, wavy baseline, no P waves, no QRS complexes.

Question 27

What is Asystole?

Answer 27

No electrical activity.

Question 28

What does artifact refer to in ECG troubleshooting?

Answer 28

Movement or tremors.

Question 29

What indicates STEMI on an ECG?

Answer 29

ST elevation in 2+ contiguous leads.

Question 30

What characterizes NSTEMI?

Answer 30

ST depression or T-wave inversion.

Question 31

Which leads are affected in an Inferior MI?

Answer 31

II, III, aVF.

Question 32

Which leads are affected in an Anterior MI?

Answer 32

V1-V4.

Question 33

Which leads are affected in a Lateral MI?

Answer 33

I, aVL, V5, V6.

Question 34

Which leads are affected in a Posterior MI?

Answer 34

V7-V9 (ST depression in V1-V3).

Question 35

What is the first step in reading an ECG?

Answer 35

Check the Heart Rate.

Question 36

What does a normal PR interval measure?

Answer 36

0.12 - 0.2 sec.

Question 37

Fill in the blank: The QRS duration should be _______.

Answer 37

<0.12 sec.

Question 38

What is the purpose of mastering ECGs?

Answer 38

It takes practice.