ECG Test UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
-graphy - CORRECT ANSWER - process of recording
-metry - CORRECT ANSWER - process of measuring
EKG/ECG - CORRECT ANSWER - recording of the electrical impulses as they go
through the heart as wave deflections on an instrument called an electrocardiograph. The record
or recording is called an electrocardiogram
Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib) - CORRECT ANSWER - occurs when the ventricles
quiver uncontrollably. They are essentially ineffective at pumping any blood. The patient has no
pulse, is not breathing, and is unresponsive. This is the most critical life threatening arrhythmia.
Cardioversion with a defibrillator is necessary to restore normal function of the electrical
conduction system.
Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC) - CORRECT ANSWER - Occurs when the atria
contract sooner than they should. The P wave can be abnormally shaped, or an extra P wave can
be seen. PACs can be seen in people who smoke or consume large amounts of coffee. An
occasional PAC is not abnormal. More than 6 PACs in 1 minute is considered abnormal.
Polarized State - CORRECT ANSWER - before the impulse hits the cardiac cell, the cell
is in the resting state, or resting potential. The inside of the cardiac cell is positively charged.
There is no electrical activity seen on the ECG during the polarized state.
Depolarized state - CORRECT ANSWER - when the impulse hits the cardiac cell, large
amounts of positively charged sodium ions move into the cell. The movement of sodium and
potassium changes the cells charge to positive. The change, also called action potential, allows
the impulse to move through the cell. Depolarization (when the impulse hits the cell) causes
electrical activity on the ECG
, P wave appearance - CORRECT ANSWER - small "hill: (positive deflection) seen on
lead II
P wave summary - CORRECT ANSWER - atrial depolaized
P wave conduction system - CORRECT ANSWER - impulse moves from the SA node
(pacemaker) to the AV node
P wave mechanical action - CORRECT ANSWER - atrial chambers contact and blood
moves into the ventricles
QRS complex summary - CORRECT ANSWER - ventricular depolarization: atrial
repolarization (hidden)
QRS complex conduction system - CORRECT ANSWER - AV node to the bundle of his
to the right and left bundle branches to the Purkinje fibers
QRS complex mechanical action - CORRECT ANSWER - ventricular chambers contract,
pushing blood out of the heart
Q wave appearance - CORRECT ANSWER - negative deflection
R wave appearance - CORRECT ANSWER - positive triangular deflection
S wave appearance - CORRECT ANSWER - any downward deflection following the R
wave
Q wave summary - CORRECT ANSWER - interventricular septal depolarization
CORRECT Answers
-graphy - CORRECT ANSWER - process of recording
-metry - CORRECT ANSWER - process of measuring
EKG/ECG - CORRECT ANSWER - recording of the electrical impulses as they go
through the heart as wave deflections on an instrument called an electrocardiograph. The record
or recording is called an electrocardiogram
Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib) - CORRECT ANSWER - occurs when the ventricles
quiver uncontrollably. They are essentially ineffective at pumping any blood. The patient has no
pulse, is not breathing, and is unresponsive. This is the most critical life threatening arrhythmia.
Cardioversion with a defibrillator is necessary to restore normal function of the electrical
conduction system.
Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC) - CORRECT ANSWER - Occurs when the atria
contract sooner than they should. The P wave can be abnormally shaped, or an extra P wave can
be seen. PACs can be seen in people who smoke or consume large amounts of coffee. An
occasional PAC is not abnormal. More than 6 PACs in 1 minute is considered abnormal.
Polarized State - CORRECT ANSWER - before the impulse hits the cardiac cell, the cell
is in the resting state, or resting potential. The inside of the cardiac cell is positively charged.
There is no electrical activity seen on the ECG during the polarized state.
Depolarized state - CORRECT ANSWER - when the impulse hits the cardiac cell, large
amounts of positively charged sodium ions move into the cell. The movement of sodium and
potassium changes the cells charge to positive. The change, also called action potential, allows
the impulse to move through the cell. Depolarization (when the impulse hits the cell) causes
electrical activity on the ECG
, P wave appearance - CORRECT ANSWER - small "hill: (positive deflection) seen on
lead II
P wave summary - CORRECT ANSWER - atrial depolaized
P wave conduction system - CORRECT ANSWER - impulse moves from the SA node
(pacemaker) to the AV node
P wave mechanical action - CORRECT ANSWER - atrial chambers contact and blood
moves into the ventricles
QRS complex summary - CORRECT ANSWER - ventricular depolarization: atrial
repolarization (hidden)
QRS complex conduction system - CORRECT ANSWER - AV node to the bundle of his
to the right and left bundle branches to the Purkinje fibers
QRS complex mechanical action - CORRECT ANSWER - ventricular chambers contract,
pushing blood out of the heart
Q wave appearance - CORRECT ANSWER - negative deflection
R wave appearance - CORRECT ANSWER - positive triangular deflection
S wave appearance - CORRECT ANSWER - any downward deflection following the R
wave
Q wave summary - CORRECT ANSWER - interventricular septal depolarization
