EKG INTERPRETATION (HCA)
CERTIFICATION SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ EKG or ECG.
Answer: electrocardiogram; graphic representation of electrical activity of
heart via leads placed on skin
◍ normal sinus rhythm.
Answer: HR 60-100 bpmRegular
◍ Sinus Bradycardia.
Answer: HR <60 bpm Regular
◍ Sinus Tachycardia.
Answer: HR > 100 bpmRegular
◍ sinus dysrhythmia.
Answer: HR 60-100 bpmIrregular rhythm P waves normal QRS complexes
normal PR Intervals normal
◍ Electrical rhythm should cause what?.
Answer: contractions of the heart
◍ Sinus Arrest.
Answer: HR 60-100 bpm Rhythm is irregular where there is a pause P
waves, QRS complexes and PR intervals are normal and all look alike (but
absent where there is a pause in rhythm)
◍ Dysrhythmias.
Answer: abnormal rhythms of electrical system- caused by electrolyte
, imbalances, CAD, respiratory problems, drug toxicity, or aging
◍ Wandering Atrial Pacemaker.
Answer: -HR 60-100 bpm -Slightly irregular -P waves differ, as frequently
as from beat to beat, may be upright or inverted, can even be absent -QRS
complexes normal, all appear the same -PR intervals vary, when the P wave
is present the P'R intervals may be normal, shortened, or prolonged -QT
intervals within normal range but may vary
◍ Lead Placement.
Answer: White is on right, black is on the leftClouds over grassSmoke over
fireBrown in the middle
◍ Automaticity.
Answer: the ability of the heart to create electrical impulses
◍ Excitability.
Answer: the ability of the heart to respond to electrical impulse from
pacemaker cells and depolarize
◍ Conductivity.
Answer: the ability of the heart to send electrical impulse from cell to cell
◍ Premature Atrial Complexes.
Answer: -Rate depends on underlying rhythm -Irregular due to early beat -P'
wave may be upright or inverted, will appear different than those of the
underlying rhythm -QRS complexes are normal -PR intervals can be normal,
shorter than 0.12 seconds in duration or prolonged -QT intervals within
normal range but may be shortened
◍ Bigeminal Premature atrial complex.
Answer: Every other beat
◍ Trigeminal.
Answer: Every third beat
◍ Contractility.
Answer: the ability of the heart to respond mechanically
CERTIFICATION SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ EKG or ECG.
Answer: electrocardiogram; graphic representation of electrical activity of
heart via leads placed on skin
◍ normal sinus rhythm.
Answer: HR 60-100 bpmRegular
◍ Sinus Bradycardia.
Answer: HR <60 bpm Regular
◍ Sinus Tachycardia.
Answer: HR > 100 bpmRegular
◍ sinus dysrhythmia.
Answer: HR 60-100 bpmIrregular rhythm P waves normal QRS complexes
normal PR Intervals normal
◍ Electrical rhythm should cause what?.
Answer: contractions of the heart
◍ Sinus Arrest.
Answer: HR 60-100 bpm Rhythm is irregular where there is a pause P
waves, QRS complexes and PR intervals are normal and all look alike (but
absent where there is a pause in rhythm)
◍ Dysrhythmias.
Answer: abnormal rhythms of electrical system- caused by electrolyte
, imbalances, CAD, respiratory problems, drug toxicity, or aging
◍ Wandering Atrial Pacemaker.
Answer: -HR 60-100 bpm -Slightly irregular -P waves differ, as frequently
as from beat to beat, may be upright or inverted, can even be absent -QRS
complexes normal, all appear the same -PR intervals vary, when the P wave
is present the P'R intervals may be normal, shortened, or prolonged -QT
intervals within normal range but may vary
◍ Lead Placement.
Answer: White is on right, black is on the leftClouds over grassSmoke over
fireBrown in the middle
◍ Automaticity.
Answer: the ability of the heart to create electrical impulses
◍ Excitability.
Answer: the ability of the heart to respond to electrical impulse from
pacemaker cells and depolarize
◍ Conductivity.
Answer: the ability of the heart to send electrical impulse from cell to cell
◍ Premature Atrial Complexes.
Answer: -Rate depends on underlying rhythm -Irregular due to early beat -P'
wave may be upright or inverted, will appear different than those of the
underlying rhythm -QRS complexes are normal -PR intervals can be normal,
shorter than 0.12 seconds in duration or prolonged -QT intervals within
normal range but may be shortened
◍ Bigeminal Premature atrial complex.
Answer: Every other beat
◍ Trigeminal.
Answer: Every third beat
◍ Contractility.
Answer: the ability of the heart to respond mechanically
