EKG INTERPRETATION (HCA)
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED
A+
◍ ECG/EKG.
Answer: Graphical representation of heart's electrical activity.
◍ Atrial Rhythms.
Answer: • Are not classic “P-wave” rhythms, if equal/consistent/nonvarying
P-waves are easily identified then the rhythm is NOT atrial in origin • Atrial
rhythms are routinely fast • Ventricular rates can be controlled (<100) or
uncontrolled (>100) • Ventricular responses and rates can reach up to 220 –
240 ppm • Ventricular regularity can be regular or irregular, depending on
the rhythm: - AFib, WAP & MAT = ALWAYS IRREGULAR - Aflutter =
Regular or Irregular - SVT/PSVT, ATach = ALWAYS REGULAR •
QRS-complexes can be Narrow (<0.12 sec) or Wide (>0.12 sec). This is
measured using the ECG paper (<0.12 = less than 3 small boxes; <0.12 =
greater than 3 small boxes)
◍ Atrial Rhythms & Associated Rates.
Answer: • A-Fib: Atria Rate >350 – 500; Ventricular Rate >220 – 240 ppm •
A-Flutter: Atrial Rate >250 – 450; Ventricular Rate >220 – 240 ppm • Atrial
Tachycardia: Atria > 220 – 240; Ventricular Rate = Atrial Rate (1:1 ratio) •
Supraventricular Tachycardia: >150 – 160 ppm, even upwards of 220 – 240
ppm; Ventricular Rate = Atrial Rate (1:1 ratio) • Wandering Atrial
Pacemaker (WAP): Atrial Rate <100 ppm; Ventricular Rate = Atrial Rate•
Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia (MAT): Atrial Rate >100 ppm; Ventricular
Rate = Atrial Rate
, ◍ Leads.
Answer: Positive or negative poles for EKG readings.
◍ Waveform.
Answer: Graphical representation of heart's electrical cycles.
◍ Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC).
Answer: Atrial ectopy (not a rhythm) similar to an ill timed hiccup within
the atria, or the atria playing a game of interrupting cow.
◍ Small box.
Answer: Represents 0.04 seconds on EKG.
◍ Large box.
Answer: Represents 0.2 seconds on EKG.
◍ Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib).
Answer: Wavy and chaotic baseline, noted overall irregularity, AFib QRS
complexes can be 'wide' or 'narrow'
◍ Isoelectric Line.
Answer: Line indicating no electrical activity in heart.
◍ P Wave.
Answer: Represents atrial depolarization in EKG.
◍ Narrow QRS Complex.
Answer: <0.12 seconds (3 small boxes)
◍ PR Interval.
Answer: Time from P wave start to QRS onset.
◍ QRS Segment.
Answer: Ventricular depolarization before contraction.
◍ Wide QRS Complex.
Answer: >0.12 seconds (3 small boxes)
◍ QRS Interval.
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED
A+
◍ ECG/EKG.
Answer: Graphical representation of heart's electrical activity.
◍ Atrial Rhythms.
Answer: • Are not classic “P-wave” rhythms, if equal/consistent/nonvarying
P-waves are easily identified then the rhythm is NOT atrial in origin • Atrial
rhythms are routinely fast • Ventricular rates can be controlled (<100) or
uncontrolled (>100) • Ventricular responses and rates can reach up to 220 –
240 ppm • Ventricular regularity can be regular or irregular, depending on
the rhythm: - AFib, WAP & MAT = ALWAYS IRREGULAR - Aflutter =
Regular or Irregular - SVT/PSVT, ATach = ALWAYS REGULAR •
QRS-complexes can be Narrow (<0.12 sec) or Wide (>0.12 sec). This is
measured using the ECG paper (<0.12 = less than 3 small boxes; <0.12 =
greater than 3 small boxes)
◍ Atrial Rhythms & Associated Rates.
Answer: • A-Fib: Atria Rate >350 – 500; Ventricular Rate >220 – 240 ppm •
A-Flutter: Atrial Rate >250 – 450; Ventricular Rate >220 – 240 ppm • Atrial
Tachycardia: Atria > 220 – 240; Ventricular Rate = Atrial Rate (1:1 ratio) •
Supraventricular Tachycardia: >150 – 160 ppm, even upwards of 220 – 240
ppm; Ventricular Rate = Atrial Rate (1:1 ratio) • Wandering Atrial
Pacemaker (WAP): Atrial Rate <100 ppm; Ventricular Rate = Atrial Rate•
Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia (MAT): Atrial Rate >100 ppm; Ventricular
Rate = Atrial Rate
, ◍ Leads.
Answer: Positive or negative poles for EKG readings.
◍ Waveform.
Answer: Graphical representation of heart's electrical cycles.
◍ Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC).
Answer: Atrial ectopy (not a rhythm) similar to an ill timed hiccup within
the atria, or the atria playing a game of interrupting cow.
◍ Small box.
Answer: Represents 0.04 seconds on EKG.
◍ Large box.
Answer: Represents 0.2 seconds on EKG.
◍ Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib).
Answer: Wavy and chaotic baseline, noted overall irregularity, AFib QRS
complexes can be 'wide' or 'narrow'
◍ Isoelectric Line.
Answer: Line indicating no electrical activity in heart.
◍ P Wave.
Answer: Represents atrial depolarization in EKG.
◍ Narrow QRS Complex.
Answer: <0.12 seconds (3 small boxes)
◍ PR Interval.
Answer: Time from P wave start to QRS onset.
◍ QRS Segment.
Answer: Ventricular depolarization before contraction.
◍ Wide QRS Complex.
Answer: >0.12 seconds (3 small boxes)
◍ QRS Interval.
