Relias Dysrhythmia Basic A Exam 2026 |
Updated Practice Questions, Verified
Answers & Study Guide
RELIAS DYSRHYTHMIA BASIC A EXAM 2026 | UPDATED PRACTICE QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
• This comprehensive study guide contains 300 verified practice questions designed
to assess your mastery of dysrhythmia recognition, interpretation, and nursing
management across all major arrhythmia categories.
• Study this material by reviewing each question carefully, testing your knowledge
before reviewing the correct answer and detailed rationale to reinforce learning
and clinical decision-making skills.
QUESTIONS
1. What is the normal heart rate for an adult in normal sinus rhythm?
A) 40-60 bpm
B) 60-100 bpm
C) 100-120 bpm
D) 120-140 bpm
E) 30-50 bpm
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 60-100 bpm
RATIONALE: Normal sinus rhythm in adults is characterized by a heart rate between
60-100 beats per minute. Rates below 60 are considered bradycardic, and rates
above 100 are considered tachycardic. This normal range reflects appropriate SA
node discharge in healthy adults at rest.
,2. Which component of the cardiac action potential represents ventricular
depolarization on the ECG?
A) The P wave
B) The QRS complex
C) The T wave
D) The ST segment
E) The PR interval
CORRECT ANSWER: B) The QRS complex
RATIONALE: The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization, reflecting
rapid electrical activation spreading through the ventricular muscle via the bundle
branches and Purkinje fibers. The QRS normally lasts 0.12 seconds or less. This is
the most prominent deflection on the ECG.
3. What does the P wave represent on an ECG?
A) Ventricular depolarization
B) Ventricular repolarization
C) Atrial depolarization
D) Atrial repolarization
E) AV node conduction
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Atrial depolarization
RATIONALE: The P wave represents atrial depolarization as electrical impulses
spread from the SA node through both atria. A normal P wave should be upright in
most leads, rounded, and less than 0.12 seconds in duration. Abnormal P waves
may indicate atrial enlargement or ectopic atrial rhythms.
,4. Which interval represents the time from atrial depolarization to ventricular
depolarization?
A) QT interval
B) PR interval
C) RR interval
D) ST segment
E) QRS duration
CORRECT ANSWER: B) PR interval
RATIONALE: The PR interval represents the time from the beginning of atrial
depolarization (P wave) to the beginning of ventricular depolarization (QRS
complex). Normal PR interval is 0.12-0.20 seconds (3-5 small squares). This reflects
conduction through the atria and AV node.
5. What is the significance of an upright T wave on an ECG?
A) Atrial depolarization has occurred
B) Ventricular repolarization is normal
C) AV block is present
D) Ventricular hypertrophy exists
E) Atrial flutter is occurring
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Ventricular repolarization is normal
RATIONALE: An upright T wave represents normal ventricular repolarization. The T
wave should be upright in most leads (except aVR and V1). Inverted or abnormal T
waves may indicate ischemia, infarction, or other cardiac pathology. The shape and
direction of T waves are important diagnostic features.
, 6. A patient presents with a heart rate of 125 bpm in regular rhythm with
normal QRS complexes. What term describes this rhythm?
A) Bradycardia
B) Sinus tachycardia
C) Atrial fibrillation
D) Atrial flutter
E) Ventricular tachycardia
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Sinus tachycardia
RATIONALE: Sinus tachycardia is a rhythm originating from the SA node with a heart
rate exceeding 100 bpm in adults. The rhythm is regular with normal P waves and
QRS complexes. Common causes include fever, pain, anxiety, exercise,
hyperthyroidism, hypovolemia, and cardiac disease. Treatment addresses the
underlying cause.
7. Which of the following is NOT a normal characteristic of sinus bradycardia?
A) Heart rate less than 60 bpm
B) Regular rhythm
C) Bizarre QRS complexes
D) Normal P wave appearance
E) Normal PR interval
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Bizarre QRS complexes
RATIONALE: Sinus bradycardia maintains all normal characteristics including
regular rhythm, normal P wave morphology, normal PR intervals, and normal QRS
complexes. Bizarre QRS complexes indicate ventricular conduction abnormalities
and would not be present in sinus bradycardia. This finding would suggest a
different underlying rhythm or conduction disorder.
Updated Practice Questions, Verified
Answers & Study Guide
RELIAS DYSRHYTHMIA BASIC A EXAM 2026 | UPDATED PRACTICE QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
• This comprehensive study guide contains 300 verified practice questions designed
to assess your mastery of dysrhythmia recognition, interpretation, and nursing
management across all major arrhythmia categories.
• Study this material by reviewing each question carefully, testing your knowledge
before reviewing the correct answer and detailed rationale to reinforce learning
and clinical decision-making skills.
QUESTIONS
1. What is the normal heart rate for an adult in normal sinus rhythm?
A) 40-60 bpm
B) 60-100 bpm
C) 100-120 bpm
D) 120-140 bpm
E) 30-50 bpm
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 60-100 bpm
RATIONALE: Normal sinus rhythm in adults is characterized by a heart rate between
60-100 beats per minute. Rates below 60 are considered bradycardic, and rates
above 100 are considered tachycardic. This normal range reflects appropriate SA
node discharge in healthy adults at rest.
,2. Which component of the cardiac action potential represents ventricular
depolarization on the ECG?
A) The P wave
B) The QRS complex
C) The T wave
D) The ST segment
E) The PR interval
CORRECT ANSWER: B) The QRS complex
RATIONALE: The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization, reflecting
rapid electrical activation spreading through the ventricular muscle via the bundle
branches and Purkinje fibers. The QRS normally lasts 0.12 seconds or less. This is
the most prominent deflection on the ECG.
3. What does the P wave represent on an ECG?
A) Ventricular depolarization
B) Ventricular repolarization
C) Atrial depolarization
D) Atrial repolarization
E) AV node conduction
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Atrial depolarization
RATIONALE: The P wave represents atrial depolarization as electrical impulses
spread from the SA node through both atria. A normal P wave should be upright in
most leads, rounded, and less than 0.12 seconds in duration. Abnormal P waves
may indicate atrial enlargement or ectopic atrial rhythms.
,4. Which interval represents the time from atrial depolarization to ventricular
depolarization?
A) QT interval
B) PR interval
C) RR interval
D) ST segment
E) QRS duration
CORRECT ANSWER: B) PR interval
RATIONALE: The PR interval represents the time from the beginning of atrial
depolarization (P wave) to the beginning of ventricular depolarization (QRS
complex). Normal PR interval is 0.12-0.20 seconds (3-5 small squares). This reflects
conduction through the atria and AV node.
5. What is the significance of an upright T wave on an ECG?
A) Atrial depolarization has occurred
B) Ventricular repolarization is normal
C) AV block is present
D) Ventricular hypertrophy exists
E) Atrial flutter is occurring
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Ventricular repolarization is normal
RATIONALE: An upright T wave represents normal ventricular repolarization. The T
wave should be upright in most leads (except aVR and V1). Inverted or abnormal T
waves may indicate ischemia, infarction, or other cardiac pathology. The shape and
direction of T waves are important diagnostic features.
, 6. A patient presents with a heart rate of 125 bpm in regular rhythm with
normal QRS complexes. What term describes this rhythm?
A) Bradycardia
B) Sinus tachycardia
C) Atrial fibrillation
D) Atrial flutter
E) Ventricular tachycardia
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Sinus tachycardia
RATIONALE: Sinus tachycardia is a rhythm originating from the SA node with a heart
rate exceeding 100 bpm in adults. The rhythm is regular with normal P waves and
QRS complexes. Common causes include fever, pain, anxiety, exercise,
hyperthyroidism, hypovolemia, and cardiac disease. Treatment addresses the
underlying cause.
7. Which of the following is NOT a normal characteristic of sinus bradycardia?
A) Heart rate less than 60 bpm
B) Regular rhythm
C) Bizarre QRS complexes
D) Normal P wave appearance
E) Normal PR interval
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Bizarre QRS complexes
RATIONALE: Sinus bradycardia maintains all normal characteristics including
regular rhythm, normal P wave morphology, normal PR intervals, and normal QRS
complexes. Bizarre QRS complexes indicate ventricular conduction abnormalities
and would not be present in sinus bradycardia. This finding would suggest a
different underlying rhythm or conduction disorder.
