Maryland EKG Technician Certification Exam
Practice Questions &Verified Answers with
Rationale
GUARANTEED PASS!
The Maryland EKG Technician Certification Exam is designed for individuals
seeking certification as Electrocardiograph Technicians. This comprehensive
exam evaluates candidates' knowledge and skills in performing 12-lead
electrocardiograms, proper electrode placement, identifying artifacts,
understanding cardiac anatomy and physiology, recognizing normal and abnormal
waveforms, and ensuring patient safety during procedures.
This practice question bank contains 250 questions aligned with the exam
content areas, including patient preparation, EKG equipment operation, lead
placement, waveform analysis, cardiac rhythms, troubleshooting, and infection
control. Each question includes the correct answer and a brief rationale to
support your preparation for the Maryland certification exam.
SECTION 1: PATIENT CARE AND SAFETY (Questions 1-40)
1. A patient is scheduled for a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram. Which
action by the EKG technician is most appropriate before electrode placement?
A. Administer a sedative to reduce anxiety
B. Verify patient identity using at least two identifiers
C. Apply electrodes before explaining the procedure
D. Request the patient to fast for 12 hours prior
Answer: B
Correct patient identification using at least two identifiers is a key
safety requirement before performing any diagnostic procedure, including
EKGs, to prevent medical errors and ensure proper documentation.
2. Which condition would most likely produce artifact on an EKG tracing?
A. Patient lying still and relaxed
, B. Loose electrode contact with the skin
C. Proper skin preparation with alcohol
D. Correct lead placement
Answer: B
Loose electrode contact introduces electrical interference and motion
artifact, which distorts the waveform and reduces diagnostic accuracy.
3. What is the primary purpose of a 12-lead EKG?
A. Measure blood oxygen saturation
B. Evaluate electrical activity of the heart from multiple angles
C. Measure blood pressure continuously
D. Detect lung volume changes
Answer: B
A 12-lead EKG records the heart's electrical activity from multiple
perspectives, allowing for comprehensive cardiac assessment and diagnosis
of abnormalities.
4. Which limb lead is formed by the negative left arm electrode and positive
left leg electrode?
A. Lead I
B. Lead II
C. Lead III
D. aVR
Answer: C
Lead III is created using the left arm as negative and the left leg as
positive, measuring electrical activity between those points.
5. Before performing an EKG, which skin preparation step is most appropriate?
A. Apply lotion to improve conductivity
B. Shave excessive hair if necessary
C. Apply powder to reduce moisture
D. Avoid cleaning the skin
Answer: B
Excess hair can interfere with electrode adhesion and signal quality, so
it may be clipped or shaved when necessary.
,6. Which wave on an EKG represents atrial depolarization?
A. P wave
B. QRS complex
C. T wave
D. U wave
Answer: A
The P wave reflects atrial depolarization, which initiates atrial
contraction.
7. A flat baseline on an EKG tracing most commonly indicates:
A. Ventricular fibrillation
B. Asystole or absence of electrical activity
C. Normal sinus rhythm
D. Atrial flutter
Answer: B
A flatline typically indicates asystole, meaning no detectable electrical
activity in the heart.
8. Which lead placement is correct for V1?
A. Left 5th intercostal space midclavicular line
B. Right 4th intercostal space sternal border
C. Left 4th intercostal space sternal border
D. Right 5th intercostal space midaxillary line
Answer: B
V1 is correctly placed at the right fourth intercostal space at the
sternal border.
9. What is the normal range for adult heart rate on an EKG?
A. 30–50 bpm
B. 60–100 bpm
C. 100–150 bpm
, D. 150–200 bpm
Answer: B
Normal resting heart rate for adults is 60–100 beats per minute.
10. What is the correct placement for the right leg (RL) electrode?
A. Left lower abdomen
B. Right lower abdomen
C. Right ankle
D. Left ankle
Answer: C
The right leg electrode is placed on the right ankle or lower leg as a
ground reference.
11. What is the most common cause of wandering baseline artifact?
A. Patient movement
B. Improper skin preparation
C. Loose electrode
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Wandering baseline can be caused by patient movement, poor skin
preparation, or loose electrodes.
12. Which of the following is an appropriate action when a patient reports
chest pain during an EKG?
A. Complete the EKG and then inform the nurse
B. Stop the procedure and notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Ignore the complaint and continue
D. Increase the paper speed
Answer: B
Chest pain requires immediate attention. The technician should stop the
procedure and notify the healthcare provider.
13. What is the correct placement for lead V2?
A. Right 4th intercostal space
Practice Questions &Verified Answers with
Rationale
GUARANTEED PASS!
The Maryland EKG Technician Certification Exam is designed for individuals
seeking certification as Electrocardiograph Technicians. This comprehensive
exam evaluates candidates' knowledge and skills in performing 12-lead
electrocardiograms, proper electrode placement, identifying artifacts,
understanding cardiac anatomy and physiology, recognizing normal and abnormal
waveforms, and ensuring patient safety during procedures.
This practice question bank contains 250 questions aligned with the exam
content areas, including patient preparation, EKG equipment operation, lead
placement, waveform analysis, cardiac rhythms, troubleshooting, and infection
control. Each question includes the correct answer and a brief rationale to
support your preparation for the Maryland certification exam.
SECTION 1: PATIENT CARE AND SAFETY (Questions 1-40)
1. A patient is scheduled for a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram. Which
action by the EKG technician is most appropriate before electrode placement?
A. Administer a sedative to reduce anxiety
B. Verify patient identity using at least two identifiers
C. Apply electrodes before explaining the procedure
D. Request the patient to fast for 12 hours prior
Answer: B
Correct patient identification using at least two identifiers is a key
safety requirement before performing any diagnostic procedure, including
EKGs, to prevent medical errors and ensure proper documentation.
2. Which condition would most likely produce artifact on an EKG tracing?
A. Patient lying still and relaxed
, B. Loose electrode contact with the skin
C. Proper skin preparation with alcohol
D. Correct lead placement
Answer: B
Loose electrode contact introduces electrical interference and motion
artifact, which distorts the waveform and reduces diagnostic accuracy.
3. What is the primary purpose of a 12-lead EKG?
A. Measure blood oxygen saturation
B. Evaluate electrical activity of the heart from multiple angles
C. Measure blood pressure continuously
D. Detect lung volume changes
Answer: B
A 12-lead EKG records the heart's electrical activity from multiple
perspectives, allowing for comprehensive cardiac assessment and diagnosis
of abnormalities.
4. Which limb lead is formed by the negative left arm electrode and positive
left leg electrode?
A. Lead I
B. Lead II
C. Lead III
D. aVR
Answer: C
Lead III is created using the left arm as negative and the left leg as
positive, measuring electrical activity between those points.
5. Before performing an EKG, which skin preparation step is most appropriate?
A. Apply lotion to improve conductivity
B. Shave excessive hair if necessary
C. Apply powder to reduce moisture
D. Avoid cleaning the skin
Answer: B
Excess hair can interfere with electrode adhesion and signal quality, so
it may be clipped or shaved when necessary.
,6. Which wave on an EKG represents atrial depolarization?
A. P wave
B. QRS complex
C. T wave
D. U wave
Answer: A
The P wave reflects atrial depolarization, which initiates atrial
contraction.
7. A flat baseline on an EKG tracing most commonly indicates:
A. Ventricular fibrillation
B. Asystole or absence of electrical activity
C. Normal sinus rhythm
D. Atrial flutter
Answer: B
A flatline typically indicates asystole, meaning no detectable electrical
activity in the heart.
8. Which lead placement is correct for V1?
A. Left 5th intercostal space midclavicular line
B. Right 4th intercostal space sternal border
C. Left 4th intercostal space sternal border
D. Right 5th intercostal space midaxillary line
Answer: B
V1 is correctly placed at the right fourth intercostal space at the
sternal border.
9. What is the normal range for adult heart rate on an EKG?
A. 30–50 bpm
B. 60–100 bpm
C. 100–150 bpm
, D. 150–200 bpm
Answer: B
Normal resting heart rate for adults is 60–100 beats per minute.
10. What is the correct placement for the right leg (RL) electrode?
A. Left lower abdomen
B. Right lower abdomen
C. Right ankle
D. Left ankle
Answer: C
The right leg electrode is placed on the right ankle or lower leg as a
ground reference.
11. What is the most common cause of wandering baseline artifact?
A. Patient movement
B. Improper skin preparation
C. Loose electrode
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Wandering baseline can be caused by patient movement, poor skin
preparation, or loose electrodes.
12. Which of the following is an appropriate action when a patient reports
chest pain during an EKG?
A. Complete the EKG and then inform the nurse
B. Stop the procedure and notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Ignore the complaint and continue
D. Increase the paper speed
Answer: B
Chest pain requires immediate attention. The technician should stop the
procedure and notify the healthcare provider.
13. What is the correct placement for lead V2?
A. Right 4th intercostal space
