NHA CET STUDY GUIDE EXAM 2025/2026 QUESTIONS
AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+ TIP
✔✔Where is V1 placed on the body? - ✔✔Fourth intercostal space, right sternal border
✔✔In what order does the electrical impulse travel through the heart? - ✔✔SA node →
AV node → Bundle of His → Bundle branches → Purkinje fibers.
✔✔How many leads are recorded in a standard EKG? - ✔✔12 leads
✔✔What should you do if a patient has a left-sided mastectomy? - ✔✔Place the
electrode on the right side or follow facility protocol; avoid the site of mastectomy.
✔✔What does artifact mean on an EKG? - ✔✔Artifact is interference or distortion on the
EKG tracing not related to the heart's electrical activity.
✔✔How can you reduce 60-cycle interference? - ✔✔Ensure the EKG machine is
properly grounded and away from electrical equipment.
✔✔What does the P wave represent? - ✔✔Atrial depolarization.
✔✔What does the QRS complex represent? - ✔✔Ventricular depolarization
✔✔A prolonged PR interval may indicate what condition? - ✔✔First-degree heart block
✔✔How should you clean reusable electrodes? - ✔✔Follow the manufacturer's
instructions and facility protocol—typically using disinfectant wipes approved for medical
devices.
✔✔What should you do if a patient faints during a stress test? - ✔✔Stop the test
immediately, lower the head of the bed, and notify the provider.
✔✔How should you identify a patient before performing an EKG? - ✔✔Ask the patient
to state their full name and date of birth and verify it against the order or wristband.
✔✔What do you do if a patient refuses an EKG? - ✔✔Respect their right to refuse and
inform the ordering provider.
✔✔What adjustment should be made for an infant during an EKG? - ✔✔Use pediatric
electrodes and possibly reposition leads to accommodate smaller anatomy.
✔✔What is the best position for a patient experiencing shortness of breath during an
EKG? - ✔✔Semi-Fowler's position.
, ✔✔What rhythm is characterized by a sawtooth pattern of P waves? - ✔✔Atrial flutter.
✔✔How can you distinguish atrial fibrillation on an EKG? - ✔✔Irregularly irregular
rhythm with no discernible P waves.
✔✔What is the typical rate of a junctional rhythm? - ✔✔40-60 beats per minute.
✔✔What EKG finding is characteristic of ventricular tachycardia? - ✔✔Wide QRS
complexes and a rapid heart rate, usually over 100 bpm, often with no visible P waves.
✔✔What does asystole look like on an EKG? - ✔✔A flat line with no electrical activity.
✔✔What is the first thing you should do if a patient becomes unresponsive while
hooked up to the EKG? - ✔✔Check for responsiveness and call for help or initiate
emergency procedures per facility protocol.
✔✔During a stress test, your patient reports chest pain and dizziness. What should you
do? - ✔✔Stop the test immediately and notify the provider.
✔✔If you observe ventricular fibrillation on the monitor, what is the appropriate action? -
✔✔Call a code, begin CPR, and prepare for defibrillation.
✔✔A patient reports tingling in the arm and jaw pain during a test. What could this
indicate? - ✔✔Possible myocardial infarction (heart attack); notify the provider
immediately.
✔✔If you're unsure of a rhythm, what's the best first step? - ✔✔Look at the rate and
regularity, then analyze P waves and QRS complexes systematically.
✔✔How can you improve accuracy during EKG interpretation on the exam? - ✔✔Use a
step-by-step method: rate, rhythm, P waves, PR interval, QRS complex, and
interpretation.
✔✔Define sinoatrial (SA) node. - ✔✔The SA node is the natural pacemaker of the heart
located in the right atrium. It initiates the electrical impulse that starts each heartbeat.
✔✔What is the atrioventricular (AV) node? - ✔✔The AV node receives the impulse from
the SA node and delays it slightly to allow the atria to fully contract before the ventricles.
✔✔What is depolarization? - ✔✔Depolarization is the electrical activation of the heart
muscle, which leads to contraction.
AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+ TIP
✔✔Where is V1 placed on the body? - ✔✔Fourth intercostal space, right sternal border
✔✔In what order does the electrical impulse travel through the heart? - ✔✔SA node →
AV node → Bundle of His → Bundle branches → Purkinje fibers.
✔✔How many leads are recorded in a standard EKG? - ✔✔12 leads
✔✔What should you do if a patient has a left-sided mastectomy? - ✔✔Place the
electrode on the right side or follow facility protocol; avoid the site of mastectomy.
✔✔What does artifact mean on an EKG? - ✔✔Artifact is interference or distortion on the
EKG tracing not related to the heart's electrical activity.
✔✔How can you reduce 60-cycle interference? - ✔✔Ensure the EKG machine is
properly grounded and away from electrical equipment.
✔✔What does the P wave represent? - ✔✔Atrial depolarization.
✔✔What does the QRS complex represent? - ✔✔Ventricular depolarization
✔✔A prolonged PR interval may indicate what condition? - ✔✔First-degree heart block
✔✔How should you clean reusable electrodes? - ✔✔Follow the manufacturer's
instructions and facility protocol—typically using disinfectant wipes approved for medical
devices.
✔✔What should you do if a patient faints during a stress test? - ✔✔Stop the test
immediately, lower the head of the bed, and notify the provider.
✔✔How should you identify a patient before performing an EKG? - ✔✔Ask the patient
to state their full name and date of birth and verify it against the order or wristband.
✔✔What do you do if a patient refuses an EKG? - ✔✔Respect their right to refuse and
inform the ordering provider.
✔✔What adjustment should be made for an infant during an EKG? - ✔✔Use pediatric
electrodes and possibly reposition leads to accommodate smaller anatomy.
✔✔What is the best position for a patient experiencing shortness of breath during an
EKG? - ✔✔Semi-Fowler's position.
, ✔✔What rhythm is characterized by a sawtooth pattern of P waves? - ✔✔Atrial flutter.
✔✔How can you distinguish atrial fibrillation on an EKG? - ✔✔Irregularly irregular
rhythm with no discernible P waves.
✔✔What is the typical rate of a junctional rhythm? - ✔✔40-60 beats per minute.
✔✔What EKG finding is characteristic of ventricular tachycardia? - ✔✔Wide QRS
complexes and a rapid heart rate, usually over 100 bpm, often with no visible P waves.
✔✔What does asystole look like on an EKG? - ✔✔A flat line with no electrical activity.
✔✔What is the first thing you should do if a patient becomes unresponsive while
hooked up to the EKG? - ✔✔Check for responsiveness and call for help or initiate
emergency procedures per facility protocol.
✔✔During a stress test, your patient reports chest pain and dizziness. What should you
do? - ✔✔Stop the test immediately and notify the provider.
✔✔If you observe ventricular fibrillation on the monitor, what is the appropriate action? -
✔✔Call a code, begin CPR, and prepare for defibrillation.
✔✔A patient reports tingling in the arm and jaw pain during a test. What could this
indicate? - ✔✔Possible myocardial infarction (heart attack); notify the provider
immediately.
✔✔If you're unsure of a rhythm, what's the best first step? - ✔✔Look at the rate and
regularity, then analyze P waves and QRS complexes systematically.
✔✔How can you improve accuracy during EKG interpretation on the exam? - ✔✔Use a
step-by-step method: rate, rhythm, P waves, PR interval, QRS complex, and
interpretation.
✔✔Define sinoatrial (SA) node. - ✔✔The SA node is the natural pacemaker of the heart
located in the right atrium. It initiates the electrical impulse that starts each heartbeat.
✔✔What is the atrioventricular (AV) node? - ✔✔The AV node receives the impulse from
the SA node and delays it slightly to allow the atria to fully contract before the ventricles.
✔✔What is depolarization? - ✔✔Depolarization is the electrical activation of the heart
muscle, which leads to contraction.
