NHA CET-Certified EKG Technician Exam -Practice Questions
And Answers 2026/2027 Exam | Complete Questions And
Answers (Verified Answers) | Exam Prep | Comprehensive
Exam Guide 2026&2027
1. A patient is being prepared for a standard 12-lead EKG. Which action should the
technician take first to help ensure accurate tracing quality?
A. Apply the electrodes over clothing
B. Explain the procedure and verify the patient's identity
C. Ask the patient to hold their breath
D. Place the limb electrodes on the torso
Answer: B
Proper patient identification and explanation should occur before the procedure. This
promotes patient safety, cooperation, and accurate preparation for the EKG.
2. Which cardiac chamber is primarily responsible for pumping oxygenated blood into
systemic circulation?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
Answer: D
The left ventricle generates the pressure required to pump oxygenated blood through the
aorta and throughout the systemic circulation.
3. A patient has very dry skin, and the EKG electrodes are repeatedly detaching. What
should the technician do?
A. Clean and gently prepare the skin before applying new electrodes
B. Apply lotion to improve adhesion
C. Place the electrodes over clothing
D. Increase the EKG paper speed
Answer: A
Proper skin preparation removes surface oils and improves electrode contact. Lotion should
generally be avoided because it can interfere with electrode adhesion and signal quality.
4. Which wave on a normal sinus-rhythm EKG represents atrial depolarization?
A. T wave
B. QRS complex
,C. P wave
D. U wave
Answer: C
The P wave represents electrical depolarization of the atria before atrial contraction.
5. During an EKG, a patient asks whether the electrodes will deliver electricity into their
body. What is the appropriate response?
A. "The electrodes deliver a small electrical impulse to your heart."
B. "The electrodes only detect the heart's electrical activity."
C. "The electrodes temporarily stop the heart between recordings."
D. "The electrodes stimulate the ventricles to contract."
Answer: B
Standard EKG electrodes are sensors that detect electrical activity generated by the heart;
they do not deliver electrical stimulation to the patient.
6. Which structure normally initiates the electrical impulse that determines the heart's
rhythm?
A. Sinoatrial node
B. Atrioventricular node
C. Bundle branches
D. Purkinje fibers
Answer: A
The sinoatrial node normally functions as the heart's primary pacemaker and initiates the
electrical impulse that begins each cardiac cycle.
7. A technician notices that the EKG baseline is slowly drifting upward and downward.
Which artifact is most likely present?
A. AC interference
B. Somatic tremor
C. Wandering baseline
D. Interrupted tracing
Answer: C
Wandering baseline appears as slow movement of the EKG baseline and can result from
respiration, loose electrodes, or inadequate skin preparation.
8. Which lead records the electrical potential difference between the right arm and left
arm?
A. Lead II
,B. Lead I
C. Lead III
D. aVF
Answer: B
Lead I records the potential difference between the right arm and left arm, with the left arm
serving as the positive electrode.
9. A patient becomes pale and says, "I feel like I am going to faint," while standing after an
EKG. What should the technician do first?
A. Ask the patient to walk to the waiting room
B. Obtain another 12-lead EKG immediately
C. Have the patient sit or lie down safely
D. Give the patient medication
Answer: C
The immediate priority is preventing injury from a possible syncopal episode. The patient
should be safely positioned before further assessment or procedures.
10. What is the primary purpose of the EKG paper calibration mark?
A. To indicate the patient's heart rate
B. To demonstrate standard voltage and time settings
C. To identify the patient's blood pressure
D. To indicate electrode placement
Answer: B
Standard calibration allows the reader to interpret waveform amplitude and duration
accurately. A typical calibration is 10 mm/mV at a paper speed of 25 mm/sec.
11. Which coronary artery supplies a large portion of the anterior wall of the left ventricle?
A. Left anterior descending artery
B. Right coronary artery
C. Circumflex artery
D. Posterior descending artery
Answer: A
The left anterior descending artery supplies much of the anterior ventricular myocardium and
interventricular septum.
12. A technician is obtaining a 12-lead EKG and accidentally places V1 and V2 too high on
the chest. What is the primary concern?
A. The patient's blood pressure will increase
, B. The tracing may show misleading abnormalities
C. The limb leads will become unusable
D. The machine will automatically correct the error
Answer: B
Incorrect precordial placement can significantly alter waveform morphology and may create
findings that mimic cardiac abnormalities.
13. Where should the V1 electrode normally be placed?
A. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
B. Fourth intercostal space, right sternal border
C. Fourth intercostal space, left sternal border
D. Sixth intercostal space, left anterior axillary line
Answer: B
V1 is placed at the fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border.
14. Where should V4 normally be placed?
A. Fourth intercostal space, right sternal border
B. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
C. Fifth intercostal space, right midaxillary line
D. Sixth intercostal space, left sternal border
Answer: B
V4 is placed in the fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line.
15. Which lead is classified as an augmented unipolar limb lead?
A. Lead I
B. Lead II
C. aVR
D. Lead III
Answer: C
aVR is one of the three augmented unipolar limb leads, along with aVL and aVF.
16. A patient is shivering during an EKG, producing irregular rapid deflections
throughout the tracing. What is the most likely cause?
A. Somatic tremor
B. Wandering baseline
C. AC interference
D. Paper malfunction
And Answers 2026/2027 Exam | Complete Questions And
Answers (Verified Answers) | Exam Prep | Comprehensive
Exam Guide 2026&2027
1. A patient is being prepared for a standard 12-lead EKG. Which action should the
technician take first to help ensure accurate tracing quality?
A. Apply the electrodes over clothing
B. Explain the procedure and verify the patient's identity
C. Ask the patient to hold their breath
D. Place the limb electrodes on the torso
Answer: B
Proper patient identification and explanation should occur before the procedure. This
promotes patient safety, cooperation, and accurate preparation for the EKG.
2. Which cardiac chamber is primarily responsible for pumping oxygenated blood into
systemic circulation?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
Answer: D
The left ventricle generates the pressure required to pump oxygenated blood through the
aorta and throughout the systemic circulation.
3. A patient has very dry skin, and the EKG electrodes are repeatedly detaching. What
should the technician do?
A. Clean and gently prepare the skin before applying new electrodes
B. Apply lotion to improve adhesion
C. Place the electrodes over clothing
D. Increase the EKG paper speed
Answer: A
Proper skin preparation removes surface oils and improves electrode contact. Lotion should
generally be avoided because it can interfere with electrode adhesion and signal quality.
4. Which wave on a normal sinus-rhythm EKG represents atrial depolarization?
A. T wave
B. QRS complex
,C. P wave
D. U wave
Answer: C
The P wave represents electrical depolarization of the atria before atrial contraction.
5. During an EKG, a patient asks whether the electrodes will deliver electricity into their
body. What is the appropriate response?
A. "The electrodes deliver a small electrical impulse to your heart."
B. "The electrodes only detect the heart's electrical activity."
C. "The electrodes temporarily stop the heart between recordings."
D. "The electrodes stimulate the ventricles to contract."
Answer: B
Standard EKG electrodes are sensors that detect electrical activity generated by the heart;
they do not deliver electrical stimulation to the patient.
6. Which structure normally initiates the electrical impulse that determines the heart's
rhythm?
A. Sinoatrial node
B. Atrioventricular node
C. Bundle branches
D. Purkinje fibers
Answer: A
The sinoatrial node normally functions as the heart's primary pacemaker and initiates the
electrical impulse that begins each cardiac cycle.
7. A technician notices that the EKG baseline is slowly drifting upward and downward.
Which artifact is most likely present?
A. AC interference
B. Somatic tremor
C. Wandering baseline
D. Interrupted tracing
Answer: C
Wandering baseline appears as slow movement of the EKG baseline and can result from
respiration, loose electrodes, or inadequate skin preparation.
8. Which lead records the electrical potential difference between the right arm and left
arm?
A. Lead II
,B. Lead I
C. Lead III
D. aVF
Answer: B
Lead I records the potential difference between the right arm and left arm, with the left arm
serving as the positive electrode.
9. A patient becomes pale and says, "I feel like I am going to faint," while standing after an
EKG. What should the technician do first?
A. Ask the patient to walk to the waiting room
B. Obtain another 12-lead EKG immediately
C. Have the patient sit or lie down safely
D. Give the patient medication
Answer: C
The immediate priority is preventing injury from a possible syncopal episode. The patient
should be safely positioned before further assessment or procedures.
10. What is the primary purpose of the EKG paper calibration mark?
A. To indicate the patient's heart rate
B. To demonstrate standard voltage and time settings
C. To identify the patient's blood pressure
D. To indicate electrode placement
Answer: B
Standard calibration allows the reader to interpret waveform amplitude and duration
accurately. A typical calibration is 10 mm/mV at a paper speed of 25 mm/sec.
11. Which coronary artery supplies a large portion of the anterior wall of the left ventricle?
A. Left anterior descending artery
B. Right coronary artery
C. Circumflex artery
D. Posterior descending artery
Answer: A
The left anterior descending artery supplies much of the anterior ventricular myocardium and
interventricular septum.
12. A technician is obtaining a 12-lead EKG and accidentally places V1 and V2 too high on
the chest. What is the primary concern?
A. The patient's blood pressure will increase
, B. The tracing may show misleading abnormalities
C. The limb leads will become unusable
D. The machine will automatically correct the error
Answer: B
Incorrect precordial placement can significantly alter waveform morphology and may create
findings that mimic cardiac abnormalities.
13. Where should the V1 electrode normally be placed?
A. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
B. Fourth intercostal space, right sternal border
C. Fourth intercostal space, left sternal border
D. Sixth intercostal space, left anterior axillary line
Answer: B
V1 is placed at the fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border.
14. Where should V4 normally be placed?
A. Fourth intercostal space, right sternal border
B. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
C. Fifth intercostal space, right midaxillary line
D. Sixth intercostal space, left sternal border
Answer: B
V4 is placed in the fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line.
15. Which lead is classified as an augmented unipolar limb lead?
A. Lead I
B. Lead II
C. aVR
D. Lead III
Answer: C
aVR is one of the three augmented unipolar limb leads, along with aVL and aVF.
16. A patient is shivering during an EKG, producing irregular rapid deflections
throughout the tracing. What is the most likely cause?
A. Somatic tremor
B. Wandering baseline
C. AC interference
D. Paper malfunction
