Possible EKG questions on NHA exam (2023/2024)
1. Which of the following symptoms is most likely to be consistent with
bradycardia?
a. hyperventilation
b.BP 100/80
c. cold/clammy skin
d. pulse rate 140/min: c. cold/clammy skin
2. An EKG technician is prescription to perform an EKG tracing on an
older adult patient who is unconscious upon arrival at the emergency
department. What action should the technician take?: assume implied
consent because the patient's condition is considered critical
3. what lead groups represent Einthoven's Triangle?: Leads I, II, and III 4.
An EKG technician is performing a stress test for a patient. What EKG
changes indicate that the patient is beginning to show signs of myocardial
ischemia?: Depressed ST segment
5. Which of the following conditions is characterized by ST segment
depression and T wave inversion? a. early repolarization
b. elevated potassium
c. pericarditis
d. myocardial ischemia: d. myocardial ischemia
6. An EKG tech eliminates an EKG tracing artifact by plugging the
machine into a different wall outlet. What was the artifact caused by? a.
broken recording
b. somatic tremors
c. 60-cycle interference
d. both a and c: d. both a and c
7. An EKG technician in an outpatient facility is obtaining a patient's vital
signs and is having trouble visualizing the patient's chest movement. What
actions should the technician take to obtain an accurate respiratory rate for
the patient?: Place a hand on the middle of the patient's back to count the
respirations
8. An EKG tech should recognize what signs are often present when a
patient is experiencing ventricular tachycardia?: Multiple premature
ventricular contractions (PVCs) in a row
9. What statement should an EKG tech make when preparing an 8-year-
old patient for a standard 12-lead EKG?: "I am going to apply some stickers to
your belly, arms, and legs for the test"
, .
10. What site is the most accurate for an EKG tech to use when measuring
a patient's body temperature?: temporal
11 An EKG tech is working with a patient who has a below-the-knee
amputation on the left leg. What location should the tech place the right leg
electrode?: on the lower right abdomen (leads have to be level)
12. After completing a standard 12-lead EKG on a patient, what actions should
an EKG tech take next?: check that the tracing is free from artifacts and then
disconnect the patient from the machine
13. In what locations should an EKG tech place the electrodes for leads V7,
V8, and V9?: Evenly spaced on the back between the axillary line and the
vertebral column at the 5th intercostal space
14. A thin spike before the P wave indicates that a pacemaker has been
implanted to pace to what?: atria
15. What action should the tech instruct the patient to take if any electrodes
become loose during at home use of an ambulatory monitor?: apply
surgical tape to electrodes to keep them in place
16. Which leads record activity of the inferior wall of the left ventricle?: leads
III and aVF
17. What rhythm is characterized by absent P waves, wide QRS complexes,
and a ventricular rate between 20-40/mins?: Idioventricular rhythm
18. What leads record electrical activity of the lateral wall of the left ventricle?-
: Leads I, aVL, V5, and V6
19. In what location should be the EKG tech place the electrodes for a 3-lead
ambulatory monitor?: on the right shoulder, the left shoulder, and the left
abdomen 20. An EKG tech is performing a stress test for a patient. What
changes indicate that the patient is beginning to show signs of myocardial
ischemia?: depressed ST segment
21. What leads are bipolar?: Leads I, II, and III
22. What is the expected reference range for respiratory rate of a newborn
patient?: 30-49/min
23. An EKG tech is providing instructions for a patient who is scheduled for
an exercise stress test. What instructions should tech include?: "You
should avoid wearing shoes with high heels for this test"
24. An EKG tech is preparing a patient for an exercise stress test. What
statement should the tech make before this test?: "This procedure requires
informed consent."
, .
25. What is the final step when applying a Holter monitor?: Document the
procedure in the patient's health record
26. An EKG tech prior to an exercise stress test. What statement by the
patient indicates an understanding of the preparation?: "I can smoke the
night before the exam"
27 After turning on the AED and attaching the AED to the patient, what should
be done next?: stand clear from the patient and allow the AED to analyze
28. In a healthy adult patient, what is the expected shape and direction of the
P wave in lead II?: rounded and upright
29. What statement should an EKG tech include when preparing a patient for
an upcoming exercise stress test?: "Refrain from caffeine, smoking, or
alcohol for at least 3 hours prior to the test"
30. What lead is created between the left arm and left leg?: Lead III
31. What lead is created between the right arm and left leg?: Lead II
32. What lead is created between the right arm and left arm?: Lead I
33. What speed setting should the tech use for a standard 12 lead EKG for a
patient experiencing an accelerated junctional rhythm?: 25 mm/sec
34. Heart rate for accelerated junctional rhythm?: 60-100 bpm
35. An EKG tech is called to the emergency department to perform a standard
12-lead EKG on a patient. When the tech arrives, the patient is attached to a
5-lead monitor? What action should the tech take?: Remove the electrodes for
the 5-lead monitor before attaching the electrodes for the 12-lead EKG
36. The sinus arrest is considered a medical emergency when the arrest
reaches what duration?: 6 seconds
37. What is the best method for an EKG tech to use when removing hair from
electrode placement?: Clippers
38. An EKG tech is performing a posterior 12-lead EKG for a patient. Which of
the following leads should the tech place along the paraspinous border?:
Lead V9
39. An EKG tech is preparing to perform an exercise stress test on a patient.
What findings in a patient's medical history would prevent the patient from
participating in an exercise stress test?: Congestive heart failure
40. An EKG tech is performing an exercise stress test for a patient. What
findings should the tech expect the provider to stop the test.: Dizziness
41. An EKG tech should recognize that a rhythm strip should be at least how
many seconds long to accurately identify rate and rhythm?: 6 seconds 42.
1. Which of the following symptoms is most likely to be consistent with
bradycardia?
a. hyperventilation
b.BP 100/80
c. cold/clammy skin
d. pulse rate 140/min: c. cold/clammy skin
2. An EKG technician is prescription to perform an EKG tracing on an
older adult patient who is unconscious upon arrival at the emergency
department. What action should the technician take?: assume implied
consent because the patient's condition is considered critical
3. what lead groups represent Einthoven's Triangle?: Leads I, II, and III 4.
An EKG technician is performing a stress test for a patient. What EKG
changes indicate that the patient is beginning to show signs of myocardial
ischemia?: Depressed ST segment
5. Which of the following conditions is characterized by ST segment
depression and T wave inversion? a. early repolarization
b. elevated potassium
c. pericarditis
d. myocardial ischemia: d. myocardial ischemia
6. An EKG tech eliminates an EKG tracing artifact by plugging the
machine into a different wall outlet. What was the artifact caused by? a.
broken recording
b. somatic tremors
c. 60-cycle interference
d. both a and c: d. both a and c
7. An EKG technician in an outpatient facility is obtaining a patient's vital
signs and is having trouble visualizing the patient's chest movement. What
actions should the technician take to obtain an accurate respiratory rate for
the patient?: Place a hand on the middle of the patient's back to count the
respirations
8. An EKG tech should recognize what signs are often present when a
patient is experiencing ventricular tachycardia?: Multiple premature
ventricular contractions (PVCs) in a row
9. What statement should an EKG tech make when preparing an 8-year-
old patient for a standard 12-lead EKG?: "I am going to apply some stickers to
your belly, arms, and legs for the test"
, .
10. What site is the most accurate for an EKG tech to use when measuring
a patient's body temperature?: temporal
11 An EKG tech is working with a patient who has a below-the-knee
amputation on the left leg. What location should the tech place the right leg
electrode?: on the lower right abdomen (leads have to be level)
12. After completing a standard 12-lead EKG on a patient, what actions should
an EKG tech take next?: check that the tracing is free from artifacts and then
disconnect the patient from the machine
13. In what locations should an EKG tech place the electrodes for leads V7,
V8, and V9?: Evenly spaced on the back between the axillary line and the
vertebral column at the 5th intercostal space
14. A thin spike before the P wave indicates that a pacemaker has been
implanted to pace to what?: atria
15. What action should the tech instruct the patient to take if any electrodes
become loose during at home use of an ambulatory monitor?: apply
surgical tape to electrodes to keep them in place
16. Which leads record activity of the inferior wall of the left ventricle?: leads
III and aVF
17. What rhythm is characterized by absent P waves, wide QRS complexes,
and a ventricular rate between 20-40/mins?: Idioventricular rhythm
18. What leads record electrical activity of the lateral wall of the left ventricle?-
: Leads I, aVL, V5, and V6
19. In what location should be the EKG tech place the electrodes for a 3-lead
ambulatory monitor?: on the right shoulder, the left shoulder, and the left
abdomen 20. An EKG tech is performing a stress test for a patient. What
changes indicate that the patient is beginning to show signs of myocardial
ischemia?: depressed ST segment
21. What leads are bipolar?: Leads I, II, and III
22. What is the expected reference range for respiratory rate of a newborn
patient?: 30-49/min
23. An EKG tech is providing instructions for a patient who is scheduled for
an exercise stress test. What instructions should tech include?: "You
should avoid wearing shoes with high heels for this test"
24. An EKG tech is preparing a patient for an exercise stress test. What
statement should the tech make before this test?: "This procedure requires
informed consent."
, .
25. What is the final step when applying a Holter monitor?: Document the
procedure in the patient's health record
26. An EKG tech prior to an exercise stress test. What statement by the
patient indicates an understanding of the preparation?: "I can smoke the
night before the exam"
27 After turning on the AED and attaching the AED to the patient, what should
be done next?: stand clear from the patient and allow the AED to analyze
28. In a healthy adult patient, what is the expected shape and direction of the
P wave in lead II?: rounded and upright
29. What statement should an EKG tech include when preparing a patient for
an upcoming exercise stress test?: "Refrain from caffeine, smoking, or
alcohol for at least 3 hours prior to the test"
30. What lead is created between the left arm and left leg?: Lead III
31. What lead is created between the right arm and left leg?: Lead II
32. What lead is created between the right arm and left arm?: Lead I
33. What speed setting should the tech use for a standard 12 lead EKG for a
patient experiencing an accelerated junctional rhythm?: 25 mm/sec
34. Heart rate for accelerated junctional rhythm?: 60-100 bpm
35. An EKG tech is called to the emergency department to perform a standard
12-lead EKG on a patient. When the tech arrives, the patient is attached to a
5-lead monitor? What action should the tech take?: Remove the electrodes for
the 5-lead monitor before attaching the electrodes for the 12-lead EKG
36. The sinus arrest is considered a medical emergency when the arrest
reaches what duration?: 6 seconds
37. What is the best method for an EKG tech to use when removing hair from
electrode placement?: Clippers
38. An EKG tech is performing a posterior 12-lead EKG for a patient. Which of
the following leads should the tech place along the paraspinous border?:
Lead V9
39. An EKG tech is preparing to perform an exercise stress test on a patient.
What findings in a patient's medical history would prevent the patient from
participating in an exercise stress test?: Congestive heart failure
40. An EKG tech is performing an exercise stress test for a patient. What
findings should the tech expect the provider to stop the test.: Dizziness
41. An EKG tech should recognize that a rhythm strip should be at least how
many seconds long to accurately identify rate and rhythm?: 6 seconds 42.
