NHA EKG TECHNICIAN
CERTIFICATION EXAM (CET)
PRACTICE 2026
1. An EKG technician is performing a 12-lead EKG and notices the patient is shivering,
resulting in a fuzzy, irregular baseline. Which of the following artifacts is this?
A. Wandering baseline
B. AC interference
C. Interrupted baseline
D. Somatic tremor
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Somatic tremor is caused by involuntary muscle movement,
such as shivering or Parkinson’s tremors, which creates an irregular, jagged baseline.
2. When placing electrodes for a 12-lead EKG, where should the V4 electrode be positioned?
A. Fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border
B. Fifth intercostal space at the anterior axillary line
C. Fourth intercostal space at the left sternal border
D. Fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line
,Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Lead V4 is placed in the 5th intercostal space at the
midclavicular line, which is essential for accurate precordial mapping.
3. Which of the following heart rates is calculated using the 1500 method if there are 20 small
boxes between two R waves?
A. 60 bpm
B. 150 bpm
C. 100 bpm
D. 75 bpm
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The 1500 method involves dividing 1500 by the number of small
boxes between R waves ( = 75).
4. A technician identifies a wide, bizarre QRS complex occurring prematurely without a
preceding P wave. This is characteristic of which rhythm?
A. Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC)
B. Premature Junctional Contraction (PJC)
C. Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC)
D. Atrial Fibrillation
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: A PVC is characterized by a wide (>0.12s), distorted QRS
complex that occurs early and lacks a related P wave.
5. What is the standard paper speed for a 12-lead EKG?
A. 50 mm/sec
B. 25 mm/sec
C. 10 mm/sec
D. 5 mm/sec
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The industry standard paper speed for recording an EKG is 25
mm/sec.
6. Which part of the EKG tracing represents the time it takes for an electrical impulse to travel
from the SA node to the AV node?
A. QRS complex
B. PR interval
C. ST segment
D. QT interval
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The PR interval measures the time from the onset of atrial
depolarization to the onset of ventricular depolarization.
CERTIFICATION EXAM (CET)
PRACTICE 2026
1. An EKG technician is performing a 12-lead EKG and notices the patient is shivering,
resulting in a fuzzy, irregular baseline. Which of the following artifacts is this?
A. Wandering baseline
B. AC interference
C. Interrupted baseline
D. Somatic tremor
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Somatic tremor is caused by involuntary muscle movement,
such as shivering or Parkinson’s tremors, which creates an irregular, jagged baseline.
2. When placing electrodes for a 12-lead EKG, where should the V4 electrode be positioned?
A. Fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border
B. Fifth intercostal space at the anterior axillary line
C. Fourth intercostal space at the left sternal border
D. Fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line
,Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Lead V4 is placed in the 5th intercostal space at the
midclavicular line, which is essential for accurate precordial mapping.
3. Which of the following heart rates is calculated using the 1500 method if there are 20 small
boxes between two R waves?
A. 60 bpm
B. 150 bpm
C. 100 bpm
D. 75 bpm
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The 1500 method involves dividing 1500 by the number of small
boxes between R waves ( = 75).
4. A technician identifies a wide, bizarre QRS complex occurring prematurely without a
preceding P wave. This is characteristic of which rhythm?
A. Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC)
B. Premature Junctional Contraction (PJC)
C. Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC)
D. Atrial Fibrillation
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: A PVC is characterized by a wide (>0.12s), distorted QRS
complex that occurs early and lacks a related P wave.
5. What is the standard paper speed for a 12-lead EKG?
A. 50 mm/sec
B. 25 mm/sec
C. 10 mm/sec
D. 5 mm/sec
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The industry standard paper speed for recording an EKG is 25
mm/sec.
6. Which part of the EKG tracing represents the time it takes for an electrical impulse to travel
from the SA node to the AV node?
A. QRS complex
B. PR interval
C. ST segment
D. QT interval
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The PR interval measures the time from the onset of atrial
depolarization to the onset of ventricular depolarization.
