BASIC ARRHYTHMIA SENTARA TEST COMPLETE STUDY
GUIDE 2026 - 300 Practice Questions with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales | GRADED A+ | 2026/2027 Update | 100%
Verified Solutions
EXAM OVERVIEW
Component Details
Exam Sentara Basic Arrhythmia Competency Test
Required for Monitor Technicians and Telemetry staff to be released
Purpose
from new employee orientation
Format Multiple Choice, Rhythm Strip Interpretation, ECG Measurement
Passing
Successfully complete the Sentara Basic Arrhythmia competency tool
Requirement
ECG Basics, Sinus Rhythms, Atrial Rhythms, Junctional Rhythms, Heart
Key Content
Blocks, Ventricular Rhythms, Pacemaker Rhythms, Artifact
Areas
Recognition
SECTION 1: ECG BASICS & MEASUREMENTS (Questions 1-40)
Question 1
What does the P wave represent on an ECG?
A) Ventricular depolarization
B) Atrial depolarization
C) Ventricular repolarization
D) Atrial repolarization
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The P wave represents atrial depolarization, which corresponds to atrial
contraction. It reflects the electrical impulse spreading through the atria from the SA
node. This is the first waveform seen on the ECG tracing.
Question 2
What does the QRS complex represent?
A) Atrial depolarization
B) Ventricular repolarization
C) Ventricular depolarization
D) Purkinje fiber repolarization
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization, which corresponds
to ventricular contraction. This is the largest waveform on the ECG because the
ventricles have more muscle mass than the atria.
Question 3
What is the normal duration of the PR interval in an adult?
A) 0.06-0.10 seconds
B) 0.12-0.20 seconds
C) 0.20-0.32 seconds
D) 0.32-0.44 seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The normal PR interval is 0.12-0.20 seconds (3-5 small squares). It represents
the time from the start of atrial depolarization to the start of ventricular depolarization.
A prolonged PR interval >0.20 seconds indicates first-degree AV block.
Question 4
What is the normal duration of the QRS complex in an adult?
,A) 0.12-0.20 seconds
B) 0.06-0.12 seconds
C) 0.04-0.06 seconds
D) 0.20-0.32 seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The normal QRS duration is 0.06-0.12 seconds (1.5-3 small squares). A QRS
>0.12 seconds indicates a bundle branch block, ventricular origin of the impulse, or an
intraventricular conduction delay.
Question 5
What is the normal duration of the QT interval?
A) 0.12-0.20 seconds
B) 0.06-0.12 seconds
C) 0.32-0.44 seconds
D) 0.44-0.52 seconds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The normal QT interval is 0.32-0.44 seconds and varies with heart rate. It
represents ventricular depolarization and repolarization. The QT interval should be less
than half the R-R interval for a normal QT.
Question 6
What is the length of each small square on standard ECG paper?
A) 0.02 seconds
B) 0.04 seconds
C) 0.20 seconds
D) 0.40 seconds
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Each small square on standard ECG paper represents 0.04 seconds when the
paper speed is 25 mm/second. There are 5 small squares in one large square (0.20
seconds).
Question 7
What is the length of each large square on standard ECG paper?
A) 0.04 seconds
B) 0.12 seconds
C) 0.20 seconds
D) 0.40 seconds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Each large square on standard ECG paper represents 0.20 seconds (5 small
squares x 0.04 seconds per small square). Five large squares equal 1 second.
Question 8
What is the inherent firing rate of the SA node?
A) 20-40 beats per minute
B) 40-60 beats per minute
C) 60-100 beats per minute
D) 100-150 beats per minute
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The SA node has an inherent rate of 60-100 beats per minute and serves as
the primary pacemaker of the heart. The SA node is located in the right atrium near the
superior vena cava.
Question 9
What is the inherent firing rate of the AV node?
A) 20-40 beats per minute
B) 40-60 beats per minute
GUIDE 2026 - 300 Practice Questions with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales | GRADED A+ | 2026/2027 Update | 100%
Verified Solutions
EXAM OVERVIEW
Component Details
Exam Sentara Basic Arrhythmia Competency Test
Required for Monitor Technicians and Telemetry staff to be released
Purpose
from new employee orientation
Format Multiple Choice, Rhythm Strip Interpretation, ECG Measurement
Passing
Successfully complete the Sentara Basic Arrhythmia competency tool
Requirement
ECG Basics, Sinus Rhythms, Atrial Rhythms, Junctional Rhythms, Heart
Key Content
Blocks, Ventricular Rhythms, Pacemaker Rhythms, Artifact
Areas
Recognition
SECTION 1: ECG BASICS & MEASUREMENTS (Questions 1-40)
Question 1
What does the P wave represent on an ECG?
A) Ventricular depolarization
B) Atrial depolarization
C) Ventricular repolarization
D) Atrial repolarization
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The P wave represents atrial depolarization, which corresponds to atrial
contraction. It reflects the electrical impulse spreading through the atria from the SA
node. This is the first waveform seen on the ECG tracing.
Question 2
What does the QRS complex represent?
A) Atrial depolarization
B) Ventricular repolarization
C) Ventricular depolarization
D) Purkinje fiber repolarization
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization, which corresponds
to ventricular contraction. This is the largest waveform on the ECG because the
ventricles have more muscle mass than the atria.
Question 3
What is the normal duration of the PR interval in an adult?
A) 0.06-0.10 seconds
B) 0.12-0.20 seconds
C) 0.20-0.32 seconds
D) 0.32-0.44 seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The normal PR interval is 0.12-0.20 seconds (3-5 small squares). It represents
the time from the start of atrial depolarization to the start of ventricular depolarization.
A prolonged PR interval >0.20 seconds indicates first-degree AV block.
Question 4
What is the normal duration of the QRS complex in an adult?
,A) 0.12-0.20 seconds
B) 0.06-0.12 seconds
C) 0.04-0.06 seconds
D) 0.20-0.32 seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The normal QRS duration is 0.06-0.12 seconds (1.5-3 small squares). A QRS
>0.12 seconds indicates a bundle branch block, ventricular origin of the impulse, or an
intraventricular conduction delay.
Question 5
What is the normal duration of the QT interval?
A) 0.12-0.20 seconds
B) 0.06-0.12 seconds
C) 0.32-0.44 seconds
D) 0.44-0.52 seconds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The normal QT interval is 0.32-0.44 seconds and varies with heart rate. It
represents ventricular depolarization and repolarization. The QT interval should be less
than half the R-R interval for a normal QT.
Question 6
What is the length of each small square on standard ECG paper?
A) 0.02 seconds
B) 0.04 seconds
C) 0.20 seconds
D) 0.40 seconds
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Each small square on standard ECG paper represents 0.04 seconds when the
paper speed is 25 mm/second. There are 5 small squares in one large square (0.20
seconds).
Question 7
What is the length of each large square on standard ECG paper?
A) 0.04 seconds
B) 0.12 seconds
C) 0.20 seconds
D) 0.40 seconds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Each large square on standard ECG paper represents 0.20 seconds (5 small
squares x 0.04 seconds per small square). Five large squares equal 1 second.
Question 8
What is the inherent firing rate of the SA node?
A) 20-40 beats per minute
B) 40-60 beats per minute
C) 60-100 beats per minute
D) 100-150 beats per minute
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The SA node has an inherent rate of 60-100 beats per minute and serves as
the primary pacemaker of the heart. The SA node is located in the right atrium near the
superior vena cava.
Question 9
What is the inherent firing rate of the AV node?
A) 20-40 beats per minute
B) 40-60 beats per minute
