VERSIONS) Questions & Answers (ECG Interpretation)
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Prepare for the Relias Dysrhythmia Basic A Exam with questions covering ECG fundamentals, sinus
rhythms, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, heart blocks, and clinical interventions. Includes
verified answers and detailed rationales. Updated for 2026.
Core Content Domains: The exam covers the following key areas of cardiac rhythm
interpretation:
ECG Fundamentals & Conduction System: Intrinsic rates, normal intervals,
pacemaker locations.
Sinus Rhythms: Normal sinus rhythm, sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, sinus
arrhythmia.
Atrial Rhythms: Premature atrial complexes, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter,
wandering atrial pacemaker.
Junctional Rhythms: Junctional rhythm, accelerated junctional, junctional
tachycardia.
Ventricular Rhythms: Premature ventricular complexes, ventricular tachycardia,
ventricular fibrillation, idioventricular, asystole.
Heart Blocks: First-degree, second-degree (Type I and Type II), third-degree AV
block.
Clinical Scenarios & Interventions: Differentiating life-threatening from non-life-
threatening dysrhythmias, appropriate interventions (e.g., defibrillation,
cardioversion, pacing).
,Preparation Tip: Understanding the electrical conduction pathway (SA node → AV node
→ Bundle of His → Bundle Branches → Purkinje fibers) and the intrinsic rates of each
structure is foundational for rhythm interpretation.
SECTION 1: ECG FUNDAMENTALS & CONDUCTION SYSTEM (Questions 1–15)
1. What is the normal intrinsic rate of the Sinoatrial (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
Answer: C
Rationale: The SA node is the primary pacemaker of the heart and has an intrinsic rate of
60–100 beats per minute (bpm).
2. Where is the primary pacemaker of the heart located?
A. Atrioventricular (AV) node
B. Sinoatrial (SA) node
C. Bundle of His
D. Purkinje fibers
Answer: B
Rationale: The SA node, located in the upper right atrium, is the primary pacemaker of the
heart.
3. What is the intrinsic rate of the Atrioventricular (AV) node?
A. 20–40 bpm
B. 40–60 bpm
C. 60–100 bpm
, D. 100–150 bpm
Answer: B
Rationale: The AV node serves as a secondary pacemaker with an intrinsic rate of 40–60
bpm if the SA node fails.
4. What is the intrinsic rate of the Purkinje fibers/ventricles?
A. 20–40 bpm
B. 40–60 bpm
C. 60–100 bpm
D. 100–150 bpm
Answer: A
Rationale: The Purkinje fibers and ventricular myocardium have an intrinsic rate of 20–40
bpm, serving as a last-resort pacemaker.
5. Which electrical conduction pathway connects the atria to the ventricles?
A. Bundle of His
B. Sinoatrial node
C. Atrioventricular (AV) node
D. Purkinje fibers
Answer: C
Rationale: The AV node is the only normal electrical connection between the atria and the
ventricles.
6. What does the P wave on an ECG represent?
A. Ventricular depolarization
B. Atrial depolarization
C. Ventricular repolarization
D. Atrial repolarization