Medical Assistant EKG Practice Exam Study Guide 2026 PDF for
Healthcare Students and Medical Assistants | ECG Rhythm Interpretation,
Cardiac Monitoring, Dysrhythmia Recognition, Electrode Placement,
Safety Protocols, and Clinical Skills | Comprehensive EKG Exam
Preparation to Strengthen Accuracy, Clinical Judgment, and Certification
Readiness
,Question 1:
What does the P wave represent in an EKG?
• A) Ventricular depolarization
• B) Atrial depolarization (Correct Answer)
• C) Atrial repolarization
• D) Ventricular repolarization
Correct Option: B
Rationale: The P wave represents atrial depolarization, which is the process of
electrical activation of the atria. It is the first deflection seen on an EKG tracing,
indicating that the atria have contracted and pushed blood into the ventricles.
Question 2:
Which of the following is considered a normal heart rate in an adult during rest?
• A) 40-60 bpm
• B) 60-100 bpm (Correct Answer)
• C) 100-120 bpm
• D) 120-140 bpm
Correct Option: B
Rationale: A normal resting heart rate for adults typically ranges from 60 to 100 beats
per minute (bpm). Rates below or above this range may indicate bradycardia (less than
60 bpm) or tachycardia (more than 100 bpm), which could signal underlying health
issues.
Question 3:
What does a QT interval represent on an EKG strip?
• A) Atrial repolarization time
• B) Duration of ventricular depolarization and repolarization (Correct Answer)
• C) Time between atrial and ventricular depolarization
• D) Time taken for the heart to fill with blood
Correct Option: B
, Rationale: The QT interval measures the time it takes for the ventricles to depolarize
and then repolarize, reflecting both the contraction and recovery phases of the
ventricles. Abnormal QT intervals can be indicative of various cardiac conditions,
including risks for arrhythmias.
Question 4:
Which lead is commonly used to monitor the heart's rhythm in a lead II EKG?
• A) Lead I
• B) Lead II (Correct Answer)
• C) Lead III
• D) V1
Correct Option: B
Rationale: Lead II is often preferred for rhythm monitoring because it provides a clear
view of the heart's electrical activity in a standard orientation, allowing for optimal
visualization of P waves, QRS complexes, and T waves. This lead effectively captures
the heart's rhythm over time.
Question 5:
If a patient experiences a myocardial infarction, which change is most likely seen on the
EKG?
• A) Normal sinus rhythm
• B) ST segment elevation (Correct Answer)
• C) Prolonged QRS duration
• D) Decreased heart rate
Correct Option: B
Rationale: ST segment elevation is one of the primary indicators of an acute myocardial
infarction on an EKG. This change reflects the injury to the cardiac tissue and indicates
that the heart muscle is not receiving sufficient blood and oxygen, necessitating
immediate medical attention.
Question 6:
Which wave represents ventricular depolarization on the EKG?
• A) P wave
• B) QRS complex (Correct Answer)
Healthcare Students and Medical Assistants | ECG Rhythm Interpretation,
Cardiac Monitoring, Dysrhythmia Recognition, Electrode Placement,
Safety Protocols, and Clinical Skills | Comprehensive EKG Exam
Preparation to Strengthen Accuracy, Clinical Judgment, and Certification
Readiness
,Question 1:
What does the P wave represent in an EKG?
• A) Ventricular depolarization
• B) Atrial depolarization (Correct Answer)
• C) Atrial repolarization
• D) Ventricular repolarization
Correct Option: B
Rationale: The P wave represents atrial depolarization, which is the process of
electrical activation of the atria. It is the first deflection seen on an EKG tracing,
indicating that the atria have contracted and pushed blood into the ventricles.
Question 2:
Which of the following is considered a normal heart rate in an adult during rest?
• A) 40-60 bpm
• B) 60-100 bpm (Correct Answer)
• C) 100-120 bpm
• D) 120-140 bpm
Correct Option: B
Rationale: A normal resting heart rate for adults typically ranges from 60 to 100 beats
per minute (bpm). Rates below or above this range may indicate bradycardia (less than
60 bpm) or tachycardia (more than 100 bpm), which could signal underlying health
issues.
Question 3:
What does a QT interval represent on an EKG strip?
• A) Atrial repolarization time
• B) Duration of ventricular depolarization and repolarization (Correct Answer)
• C) Time between atrial and ventricular depolarization
• D) Time taken for the heart to fill with blood
Correct Option: B
, Rationale: The QT interval measures the time it takes for the ventricles to depolarize
and then repolarize, reflecting both the contraction and recovery phases of the
ventricles. Abnormal QT intervals can be indicative of various cardiac conditions,
including risks for arrhythmias.
Question 4:
Which lead is commonly used to monitor the heart's rhythm in a lead II EKG?
• A) Lead I
• B) Lead II (Correct Answer)
• C) Lead III
• D) V1
Correct Option: B
Rationale: Lead II is often preferred for rhythm monitoring because it provides a clear
view of the heart's electrical activity in a standard orientation, allowing for optimal
visualization of P waves, QRS complexes, and T waves. This lead effectively captures
the heart's rhythm over time.
Question 5:
If a patient experiences a myocardial infarction, which change is most likely seen on the
EKG?
• A) Normal sinus rhythm
• B) ST segment elevation (Correct Answer)
• C) Prolonged QRS duration
• D) Decreased heart rate
Correct Option: B
Rationale: ST segment elevation is one of the primary indicators of an acute myocardial
infarction on an EKG. This change reflects the injury to the cardiac tissue and indicates
that the heart muscle is not receiving sufficient blood and oxygen, necessitating
immediate medical attention.
Question 6:
Which wave represents ventricular depolarization on the EKG?
• A) P wave
• B) QRS complex (Correct Answer)
