AAERT CER NEWLY UPDATED COLLECTION OF EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. Q: What is the primary purpose of patient assessment before ECG
testing? ANSWER To identify any contraindications, ensure patient safety,
obtain baseline information, and establish proper test protocols.
2. Q: What information should be obtained during patient history before
ECG testing? ANSWER Current medications, symptoms, previous cardiac
history, allergies, recent procedures, and risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
3. Q: Why is it important to verify patient identification before testing?
ANSWER To ensure the correct patient receives the test and results are properly
documented in the correct medical record.
4. Q: What are common contraindications for exercise stress testing?
ANSWER Acute myocardial infarction (within 2 days), unstable angina,
uncontrolled arrhythmias, severe aortic stenosis, acute pulmonary embolism,
and acute myocarditis or pericarditis.
5. Q: What is the normal resting heart rate range for adults? ANSWER 60-
100 beats per minute.
6. Q: What is the normal blood pressure range for adults? ANSWER
Systolic less than 120 mmHg and diastolic less than 80 mmHg.
7. Q: What should you do if a patient arrives for testing without fasting as
instructed? ANSWER Document the situation, consult with the ordering
physician, and reschedule if necessary based on test requirements and physician
orders.
8. Q: Why is skin preparation important before electrode placement?
ANSWER To reduce skin impedance, ensure good electrical contact, and
minimize artifact in the ECG tracing.
9. Q: What are the steps for proper skin preparation? ANSWER Clean the
skin with alcohol, allow to dry, remove excess hair if necessary, and gently
abrade the skin to remove dead skin cells.
10. Q: What is the purpose of obtaining informed consent? ANSWER To
ensure the patient understands the test procedure, risks, benefits, and
alternatives, and voluntarily agrees to proceed.
,11. Q: What medications might need to be withheld before stress testing?
ANSWER Beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and other medications that
affect heart rate response, per physician order.
12. Q: What is the significance of assessing patient anxiety before testing?
ANSWER High anxiety can affect test results, patient cooperation, and safety. It
allows for appropriate patient education and support.
13. Q: What are the key vital signs to monitor before starting a stress test?
ANSWER Heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate.
14. Q: Why is it important to ask about caffeine intake before testing?
ANSWER Caffeine can increase heart rate and blood pressure, potentially
affecting baseline measurements and test interpretation.
15. Q: What is the purpose of a 12-lead resting ECG before stress testing?
ANSWER To establish baseline cardiac rhythm, identify any pre-existing
abnormalities, and screen for contraindications.
16. Q: How should you position a patient for optimal ECG recording?
ANSWER Supine or semi-recumbent with arms relaxed at sides, avoiding
muscle tension that could cause artifact.
17. Q: What questions should you ask about recent symptoms? ANSWER
Chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, syncope, and their
frequency, duration, and triggering factors.
18. Q: What is the significance of documenting patient medications?
ANSWER Medications can affect heart rate, rhythm, blood pressure, and test
interpretation, making documentation essential for accurate analysis.
19. Q: Why is it important to assess patient mobility before stress testing?
ANSWER To determine appropriate testing modality (treadmill vs. bicycle vs.
pharmacologic) and ensure patient safety during exercise.
20. Q: What is orthostatic hypotension and why is it relevant? ANSWER A
drop in blood pressure upon standing that can cause dizziness or syncope,
relevant for patient safety during and after testing.
21. Q: What should you do if a patient has an elevated resting heart rate?
ANSWER Document the finding, assess for causes (anxiety, medications,
pathology), and consult with the physician before proceeding.
22. Q: Why is it important to note the patient's height and weight?
ANSWER For calculating predicted maximum heart rate, workload capacity,
and certain medications dosing in pharmacologic stress tests.
, 23. Q: What are signs that a patient may not be able to complete an
exercise stress test? ANSWER Severe deconditioning, orthopedic limitations,
neurological impairment, severe dyspnea at rest, or unstable vital signs.
24. Q: What is the purpose of asking about previous ECG or stress test
results? ANSWER To provide comparison for current findings and identify
trends or changes in cardiac function.
25. Q: How should you respond to a patient's questions about the
procedure? ANSWER Provide clear, accurate information about what to
expect, address concerns, and ensure understanding while maintaining
professional boundaries.
26. Q: What is the significance of family cardiac history? ANSWER It helps
identify genetic risk factors for cardiovascular disease and may influence test
interpretation and clinical management.
27. Q: Why should you assess for diabetes before testing? ANSWER
Diabetes is a major cardiovascular risk factor and may affect test protocols,
particularly regarding fasting and medication timing.
28. Q: What is the importance of documenting allergies? ANSWER To
prevent adverse reactions to electrode adhesives, contrast agents (if applicable),
or emergency medications that might be needed.
29. Q: What should you observe about the patient's general appearance?
ANSWER Signs of distress, respiratory effort, skin color, edema, and overall
physical condition that might affect testing or indicate underlying pathology.
30. Q: Why is it important to explain the termination criteria to patients?
ANSWER To prepare them for possible early test termination and ensure they
understand when to report symptoms during the test.
31. Q: What is the purpose of a pre-test checklist? ANSWER To ensure all
necessary steps are completed, equipment is functioning, and safety measures
are in place before beginning the test.
32. Q: How do you assess a patient's understanding of test instructions?
ANSWER Ask them to repeat instructions in their own words and answer any
clarifying questions they may have.
33. Q: What is the significance of recent illness in patient history?
ANSWER Recent infections, particularly viral illnesses, can cause myocarditis
and may be a contraindication to stress testing.
VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. Q: What is the primary purpose of patient assessment before ECG
testing? ANSWER To identify any contraindications, ensure patient safety,
obtain baseline information, and establish proper test protocols.
2. Q: What information should be obtained during patient history before
ECG testing? ANSWER Current medications, symptoms, previous cardiac
history, allergies, recent procedures, and risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
3. Q: Why is it important to verify patient identification before testing?
ANSWER To ensure the correct patient receives the test and results are properly
documented in the correct medical record.
4. Q: What are common contraindications for exercise stress testing?
ANSWER Acute myocardial infarction (within 2 days), unstable angina,
uncontrolled arrhythmias, severe aortic stenosis, acute pulmonary embolism,
and acute myocarditis or pericarditis.
5. Q: What is the normal resting heart rate range for adults? ANSWER 60-
100 beats per minute.
6. Q: What is the normal blood pressure range for adults? ANSWER
Systolic less than 120 mmHg and diastolic less than 80 mmHg.
7. Q: What should you do if a patient arrives for testing without fasting as
instructed? ANSWER Document the situation, consult with the ordering
physician, and reschedule if necessary based on test requirements and physician
orders.
8. Q: Why is skin preparation important before electrode placement?
ANSWER To reduce skin impedance, ensure good electrical contact, and
minimize artifact in the ECG tracing.
9. Q: What are the steps for proper skin preparation? ANSWER Clean the
skin with alcohol, allow to dry, remove excess hair if necessary, and gently
abrade the skin to remove dead skin cells.
10. Q: What is the purpose of obtaining informed consent? ANSWER To
ensure the patient understands the test procedure, risks, benefits, and
alternatives, and voluntarily agrees to proceed.
,11. Q: What medications might need to be withheld before stress testing?
ANSWER Beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and other medications that
affect heart rate response, per physician order.
12. Q: What is the significance of assessing patient anxiety before testing?
ANSWER High anxiety can affect test results, patient cooperation, and safety. It
allows for appropriate patient education and support.
13. Q: What are the key vital signs to monitor before starting a stress test?
ANSWER Heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate.
14. Q: Why is it important to ask about caffeine intake before testing?
ANSWER Caffeine can increase heart rate and blood pressure, potentially
affecting baseline measurements and test interpretation.
15. Q: What is the purpose of a 12-lead resting ECG before stress testing?
ANSWER To establish baseline cardiac rhythm, identify any pre-existing
abnormalities, and screen for contraindications.
16. Q: How should you position a patient for optimal ECG recording?
ANSWER Supine or semi-recumbent with arms relaxed at sides, avoiding
muscle tension that could cause artifact.
17. Q: What questions should you ask about recent symptoms? ANSWER
Chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, syncope, and their
frequency, duration, and triggering factors.
18. Q: What is the significance of documenting patient medications?
ANSWER Medications can affect heart rate, rhythm, blood pressure, and test
interpretation, making documentation essential for accurate analysis.
19. Q: Why is it important to assess patient mobility before stress testing?
ANSWER To determine appropriate testing modality (treadmill vs. bicycle vs.
pharmacologic) and ensure patient safety during exercise.
20. Q: What is orthostatic hypotension and why is it relevant? ANSWER A
drop in blood pressure upon standing that can cause dizziness or syncope,
relevant for patient safety during and after testing.
21. Q: What should you do if a patient has an elevated resting heart rate?
ANSWER Document the finding, assess for causes (anxiety, medications,
pathology), and consult with the physician before proceeding.
22. Q: Why is it important to note the patient's height and weight?
ANSWER For calculating predicted maximum heart rate, workload capacity,
and certain medications dosing in pharmacologic stress tests.
, 23. Q: What are signs that a patient may not be able to complete an
exercise stress test? ANSWER Severe deconditioning, orthopedic limitations,
neurological impairment, severe dyspnea at rest, or unstable vital signs.
24. Q: What is the purpose of asking about previous ECG or stress test
results? ANSWER To provide comparison for current findings and identify
trends or changes in cardiac function.
25. Q: How should you respond to a patient's questions about the
procedure? ANSWER Provide clear, accurate information about what to
expect, address concerns, and ensure understanding while maintaining
professional boundaries.
26. Q: What is the significance of family cardiac history? ANSWER It helps
identify genetic risk factors for cardiovascular disease and may influence test
interpretation and clinical management.
27. Q: Why should you assess for diabetes before testing? ANSWER
Diabetes is a major cardiovascular risk factor and may affect test protocols,
particularly regarding fasting and medication timing.
28. Q: What is the importance of documenting allergies? ANSWER To
prevent adverse reactions to electrode adhesives, contrast agents (if applicable),
or emergency medications that might be needed.
29. Q: What should you observe about the patient's general appearance?
ANSWER Signs of distress, respiratory effort, skin color, edema, and overall
physical condition that might affect testing or indicate underlying pathology.
30. Q: Why is it important to explain the termination criteria to patients?
ANSWER To prepare them for possible early test termination and ensure they
understand when to report symptoms during the test.
31. Q: What is the purpose of a pre-test checklist? ANSWER To ensure all
necessary steps are completed, equipment is functioning, and safety measures
are in place before beginning the test.
32. Q: How do you assess a patient's understanding of test instructions?
ANSWER Ask them to repeat instructions in their own words and answer any
clarifying questions they may have.
33. Q: What is the significance of recent illness in patient history?
ANSWER Recent infections, particularly viral illnesses, can cause myocarditis
and may be a contraindication to stress testing.
