Maryland EKG Technician Certification
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
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Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
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1. A 56-year-old patient undergoing routine cardiac monitoring presents
with intermittent palpitations. While performing a standard 12-lead
electrocardiogram (EKG), the technician notes a consistent P wave
before each QRS complex, a regular rhythm, and a rate of 72 beats per
minute. Which of the following best describes this rhythm?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Sinus tachycardia
C. Normal sinus rhythm
D. Ventricular tachycardia
The presence of a regular rhythm, normal rate (60–100 bpm), and a P
, wave preceding each QRS complex is characteristic of normal sinus
rhythm, indicating proper conduction from the sinoatrial node.
2. During EKG electrode placement, a technician mistakenly switches the
right arm (RA) and left arm (LA) leads. What is the most likely effect on
the EKG tracing?
A. No change in waveform
B. Inverted P waves and QRS complexes in Lead I
C. Increased amplitude of T waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Reversing RA and LA leads causes Lead I to invert because the
electrical vector is reversed, producing negative deflections where
positive ones should appear.
3. A patient’s EKG shows absent P waves and irregularly irregular QRS
complexes. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Atrial flutter
B. Sinus bradycardia
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. First-degree AV block
Atrial fibrillation is identified by the absence of distinct P waves and
an irregularly irregular rhythm due to chaotic atrial activity.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with
peaked T waves on an EKG?
A. Hypokalemia
, B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hyponatremia
Hyperkalemia causes tall, peaked T waves due to increased
repolarization speed of cardiac cells.
5. A technician observes a PR interval consistently greater than 0.20
seconds. What condition does this indicate?
A. Second-degree AV block
B. First-degree AV block
C. Third-degree AV block
D. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
A prolonged PR interval without dropped beats signifies first-degree
AV block, indicating delayed conduction through the AV node.
6. What is the primary purpose of applying conductive gel to EKG
electrodes?
A. To improve adhesion
B. To reduce skin irritation
C. To enhance electrical conductivity
D. To prevent infection
Conductive gel reduces skin impedance and ensures accurate
transmission of electrical signals from the heart to the electrodes.
7. A heart rate of 45 beats per minute with normal rhythm and P waves
preceding each QRS complex is best described as:
, A. Sinus tachycardia
B. Junctional rhythm
C. Sinus bradycardia
D. Atrial fibrillation
Sinus bradycardia is defined as a normal sinus rhythm with a heart
rate below 60 bpm.
8. Which lead views the heart from the right side?
A. Lead II
B. Lead III
C. aVR
D. aVL
Lead aVR provides a view from the right shoulder, reflecting
electrical activity from the right side of the heart.
9. What is the normal duration of the QRS complex?
A. 0.02–0.04 seconds
B. 0.06–0.10 seconds
C. 0.12–0.20 seconds
D. 0.20–0.30 seconds
The QRS complex normally lasts between 0.06 and 0.10 seconds,
representing ventricular depolarization.
10. A flatline on the EKG monitor could indicate which of the
following first?
A. Ventricular fibrillation
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
1. A 56-year-old patient undergoing routine cardiac monitoring presents
with intermittent palpitations. While performing a standard 12-lead
electrocardiogram (EKG), the technician notes a consistent P wave
before each QRS complex, a regular rhythm, and a rate of 72 beats per
minute. Which of the following best describes this rhythm?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Sinus tachycardia
C. Normal sinus rhythm
D. Ventricular tachycardia
The presence of a regular rhythm, normal rate (60–100 bpm), and a P
, wave preceding each QRS complex is characteristic of normal sinus
rhythm, indicating proper conduction from the sinoatrial node.
2. During EKG electrode placement, a technician mistakenly switches the
right arm (RA) and left arm (LA) leads. What is the most likely effect on
the EKG tracing?
A. No change in waveform
B. Inverted P waves and QRS complexes in Lead I
C. Increased amplitude of T waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Reversing RA and LA leads causes Lead I to invert because the
electrical vector is reversed, producing negative deflections where
positive ones should appear.
3. A patient’s EKG shows absent P waves and irregularly irregular QRS
complexes. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Atrial flutter
B. Sinus bradycardia
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. First-degree AV block
Atrial fibrillation is identified by the absence of distinct P waves and
an irregularly irregular rhythm due to chaotic atrial activity.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with
peaked T waves on an EKG?
A. Hypokalemia
, B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hyponatremia
Hyperkalemia causes tall, peaked T waves due to increased
repolarization speed of cardiac cells.
5. A technician observes a PR interval consistently greater than 0.20
seconds. What condition does this indicate?
A. Second-degree AV block
B. First-degree AV block
C. Third-degree AV block
D. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
A prolonged PR interval without dropped beats signifies first-degree
AV block, indicating delayed conduction through the AV node.
6. What is the primary purpose of applying conductive gel to EKG
electrodes?
A. To improve adhesion
B. To reduce skin irritation
C. To enhance electrical conductivity
D. To prevent infection
Conductive gel reduces skin impedance and ensures accurate
transmission of electrical signals from the heart to the electrodes.
7. A heart rate of 45 beats per minute with normal rhythm and P waves
preceding each QRS complex is best described as:
, A. Sinus tachycardia
B. Junctional rhythm
C. Sinus bradycardia
D. Atrial fibrillation
Sinus bradycardia is defined as a normal sinus rhythm with a heart
rate below 60 bpm.
8. Which lead views the heart from the right side?
A. Lead II
B. Lead III
C. aVR
D. aVL
Lead aVR provides a view from the right shoulder, reflecting
electrical activity from the right side of the heart.
9. What is the normal duration of the QRS complex?
A. 0.02–0.04 seconds
B. 0.06–0.10 seconds
C. 0.12–0.20 seconds
D. 0.20–0.30 seconds
The QRS complex normally lasts between 0.06 and 0.10 seconds,
representing ventricular depolarization.
10. A flatline on the EKG monitor could indicate which of the
following first?
A. Ventricular fibrillation
