BayCare EKG Test ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | Competency Exam | Verified
Q&A | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Cardiac Anatomy & Electrophysiology (10 Questions)
Q1: On a normal EKG tracing, the PR interval represents which electrical event?
A. Atrial systole (mechanical contraction)
B. Time from SA node firing to beginning of ventricular depolarization
C. Time from atrial depolarization onset to onset of ventricular depolarization [CORRECT]
D. Ventricular repolarization time
Rationale: The PR interval is measured from the beginning of the P wave (atrial depolarization onset) to
the beginning of the QRS complex (ventricular depolarization onset). It reflects AV node conduction time
and delay. Normal PR interval is 0.12 to 0.20 seconds.
Q2: Which structure serves as the primary pacemaker of the heart under normal conditions?
A. AV node
B. Bundle of His
C. Purkinje fibers
D. Sinoatrial (SA) node [CORRECT]
Rationale: The SA node is located in the right atrium and has the fastest inherent firing rate of 60-100
beats per minute, making it the dominant pacemaker. The AV node and Purkinje fibers serve as backup
pacemakers with slower intrinsic rates.
Q3: The QRS complex on an EKG represents:
A. Atrial depolarization
B. Atrial repolarization
C. Ventricular depolarization [CORRECT]
D. Ventricular repolarization
,Rationale: The QRS complex represents the spread of electrical impulse through the ventricles causing
depolarization. Atrial repolarization occurs during the QRS but is not visible due to the larger ventricular
signals. Ventricular repolarization is represented by the T wave.
Q4: Normal duration of the QRS complex is:
A. 0.04-0.10 seconds
B. 0.06-0.10 seconds
C. Less than 0.12 seconds [CORRECT]
D. 0.12-0.20 seconds
Rationale: Normal QRS duration is less than 0.12 seconds (or 3 small boxes on standard EKG paper). A
QRS exceeding 0.12 seconds indicates delayed ventricular conduction such as bundle branch block or
ventricular origin rhythms.
Q5: The QT interval represents:
A. Time from atrial depolarization to ventricular repolarization
B. Total time for ventricular depolarization and repolarization [CORRECT]
C. AV node conduction time only
D. Time from SA node firing to ventricular contraction
Rationale: The QT interval measures from the beginning of the QRS complex to the end of the T wave,
encompassing both ventricular depolarization and repolarization. The corrected QT interval (QTc) should
normally be 0.36-0.44 seconds.
Q6: Which electrolyte abnormality is most commonly associated with prolongation of the QT interval?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypokalemia [CORRECT]
D. Hypernatremia
Rationale: Hypokalemia prolongs repolarization and can cause QT prolongation, U waves, and T wave
flattening. Hypocalcemia also prolongs QT, but hypokalemia is the most common clinically significant
electrolyte disturbance affecting the QT interval and increasing risk for Torsades de Pointes.
Q7: The T wave on an EKG represents:
, A. Atrial depolarization
B. Ventricular depolarization
C. Ventricular repolarization [CORRECT]
D. AV node delay
Rationale: The T wave represents ventricular repolarization, which is the electrical recovery phase
following depolarization. T wave abnormalities can indicate ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, or other
pathological conditions affecting ventricular recovery.
Q8: In the cardiac conduction system, the Bundle of His divides into:
A. Anterior and posterior fascicles
B. Right and left bundle branches [CORRECT]
C. SA and AV nodal branches
D. Purkinje network only
Rationale: The Bundle of His emerges from the AV node and bifurcates into the right bundle branch
(supplying the right ventricle) and left bundle branch (further dividing into left anterior and posterior
fascicles supplying the left ventricle).
Q9: The normal heart rate range for sinus rhythm in adults at rest is:
A. 50-90 beats per minute
B. 60-100 beats per minute [CORRECT]
C. 70-110 beats per minute
D. 80-120 beats per minute
Rationale: Normal sinus rhythm is defined by a heart rate between 60-100 beats per minute with
normal P waves preceding each QRS complex. Rates below 60 constitute sinus bradycardia; rates above
100 constitute sinus tachycardia.
Q10: The ST segment represents:
A. Early ventricular repolarization [CORRECT]
B. Late ventricular depolarization
C. Atrial repolarization
D. The period between atrial and ventricular contraction
2026/2027 | Competency Exam | Verified
Q&A | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Cardiac Anatomy & Electrophysiology (10 Questions)
Q1: On a normal EKG tracing, the PR interval represents which electrical event?
A. Atrial systole (mechanical contraction)
B. Time from SA node firing to beginning of ventricular depolarization
C. Time from atrial depolarization onset to onset of ventricular depolarization [CORRECT]
D. Ventricular repolarization time
Rationale: The PR interval is measured from the beginning of the P wave (atrial depolarization onset) to
the beginning of the QRS complex (ventricular depolarization onset). It reflects AV node conduction time
and delay. Normal PR interval is 0.12 to 0.20 seconds.
Q2: Which structure serves as the primary pacemaker of the heart under normal conditions?
A. AV node
B. Bundle of His
C. Purkinje fibers
D. Sinoatrial (SA) node [CORRECT]
Rationale: The SA node is located in the right atrium and has the fastest inherent firing rate of 60-100
beats per minute, making it the dominant pacemaker. The AV node and Purkinje fibers serve as backup
pacemakers with slower intrinsic rates.
Q3: The QRS complex on an EKG represents:
A. Atrial depolarization
B. Atrial repolarization
C. Ventricular depolarization [CORRECT]
D. Ventricular repolarization
,Rationale: The QRS complex represents the spread of electrical impulse through the ventricles causing
depolarization. Atrial repolarization occurs during the QRS but is not visible due to the larger ventricular
signals. Ventricular repolarization is represented by the T wave.
Q4: Normal duration of the QRS complex is:
A. 0.04-0.10 seconds
B. 0.06-0.10 seconds
C. Less than 0.12 seconds [CORRECT]
D. 0.12-0.20 seconds
Rationale: Normal QRS duration is less than 0.12 seconds (or 3 small boxes on standard EKG paper). A
QRS exceeding 0.12 seconds indicates delayed ventricular conduction such as bundle branch block or
ventricular origin rhythms.
Q5: The QT interval represents:
A. Time from atrial depolarization to ventricular repolarization
B. Total time for ventricular depolarization and repolarization [CORRECT]
C. AV node conduction time only
D. Time from SA node firing to ventricular contraction
Rationale: The QT interval measures from the beginning of the QRS complex to the end of the T wave,
encompassing both ventricular depolarization and repolarization. The corrected QT interval (QTc) should
normally be 0.36-0.44 seconds.
Q6: Which electrolyte abnormality is most commonly associated with prolongation of the QT interval?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypokalemia [CORRECT]
D. Hypernatremia
Rationale: Hypokalemia prolongs repolarization and can cause QT prolongation, U waves, and T wave
flattening. Hypocalcemia also prolongs QT, but hypokalemia is the most common clinically significant
electrolyte disturbance affecting the QT interval and increasing risk for Torsades de Pointes.
Q7: The T wave on an EKG represents:
, A. Atrial depolarization
B. Ventricular depolarization
C. Ventricular repolarization [CORRECT]
D. AV node delay
Rationale: The T wave represents ventricular repolarization, which is the electrical recovery phase
following depolarization. T wave abnormalities can indicate ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, or other
pathological conditions affecting ventricular recovery.
Q8: In the cardiac conduction system, the Bundle of His divides into:
A. Anterior and posterior fascicles
B. Right and left bundle branches [CORRECT]
C. SA and AV nodal branches
D. Purkinje network only
Rationale: The Bundle of His emerges from the AV node and bifurcates into the right bundle branch
(supplying the right ventricle) and left bundle branch (further dividing into left anterior and posterior
fascicles supplying the left ventricle).
Q9: The normal heart rate range for sinus rhythm in adults at rest is:
A. 50-90 beats per minute
B. 60-100 beats per minute [CORRECT]
C. 70-110 beats per minute
D. 80-120 beats per minute
Rationale: Normal sinus rhythm is defined by a heart rate between 60-100 beats per minute with
normal P waves preceding each QRS complex. Rates below 60 constitute sinus bradycardia; rates above
100 constitute sinus tachycardia.
Q10: The ST segment represents:
A. Early ventricular repolarization [CORRECT]
B. Late ventricular depolarization
C. Atrial repolarization
D. The period between atrial and ventricular contraction
