January 2026 | RELIAS Basic Dysrhythmia Assessment A
Comprehensive Exam Prep | Complete Test Bank with Verified
Questions, Correct Answers, Detailed Rationales, ECG
Interpretation, Cardiac Rhythm Analysis, Arrhythmia Recognition,
Nursing Interventions, Patient Care Scenarios & First-Attempt
Exam Success
Question 1:
What is the normal range for a resting heart rate in adults?
• A) 60-100 bpm
• B) 40-60 bpm
• C) 100-150 bpm
• D) 80-120 bpm
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: A normal resting heart rate for adults typically ranges from 60 to 100 beats
per minute (bpm).
Question 2:
Which of the following dysrhythmias is characterized by an irregularly irregular
rhythm?
• A) Atrial Fibrillation
• B) Ventricular Tachycardia
• C) Sinus Bradycardia
• D) Atrial Flutter
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation is known for its irregularly irregular rhythm, unlike other
arrhythmias that often present with a more organized pattern.
Question 3:
What does the P-wave represent in an ECG?
• A) Ventricular depolarization
• B) Atrial depolarization
• C) Ventricular repolarization
, • D) Atrial repolarization
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The P-wave represents atrial depolarization, which is the electrical activity
that triggers atrial contraction.
Question 4:
Which is a common symptom of dysrhythmia?
• A) Dizziness
• B) Weight gain
• C) Chest pain during rest
• D) Increased appetite
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: Dizziness is a common symptom associated with dysrhythmias due to
decreased cardiac output and perfusion.
Question 5:
In which condition would you expect to see a widened QRS complex?
• A) Atrial Fibrillation
• B) Ventricular Tachycardia
• C) Sinus Tachycardia
• D) Atrial Flutter
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: A widened QRS complex is typically seen in ventricular tachycardia,
indicating that the impulse is not originating from the sinus node or atria.
Question 6:
Which of the following is a characteristic sign of a third-degree AV block?
• A) Variable heart rate
• B) Regularly irregular rhythm
• C) Complete dissociation between atrial and ventricular activity
• D) Prolonged PR interval
,CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: In third-degree AV block, there is complete dissociation between atrial and
ventricular activity, meaning they beat independently.
Question 7:
What is the primary treatment for symptomatic bradycardia?
• A) Beta-blockers
• B) Atropine
• C) Amiodarone
• D) Cardioversion
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Atropine is commonly used to treat symptomatic bradycardia by increasing
the heart rate.
Question 8:
Which rhythm shows a "sawtooth" pattern on an ECG?
• A) Atrial Fibrillation
• B) Atrial Flutter
• C) Junctional Rhythm
• D) Ventricular Fibrillation
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Atrial flutter is characterized by a "sawtooth" pattern, often referred to as "F-
waves."
Question 9:
What does a flat T-wave on an ECG potentially indicate?
• A) Hyperkalemia
• B) Hypokalemia
• C) Myocardial Ischemia
• D) Atrial Enlargement
, CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: A flat T-wave can indicate hypokalemia, which affects myocardial
repolarization.
Question 10:
What is the primary characteristic of ventricular fibrillation?
• A) Regular rhythm
• B) Organized beats
• C) Chaotic electrical activity
• D) Fixed rate
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Ventricular fibrillation is characterized by chaotic electrical activity,
preventing effective heart contractions.
Question 11:
What is the first-line treatment for atrial fibrillation?
• A) Digitalis
• B) Electrical Cardioversion
• C) Anticoagulation
• D) Amiodarone
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Anticoagulation is crucial to prevent thromboembolic events in patients with
atrial fibrillation.
Question 12:
What does a QRS duration greater than 0.12 seconds typically indicate?
• A) Normal conduction
• B) Bundle branch block
• C) Atrial Flutter
• D) Stress response
Comprehensive Exam Prep | Complete Test Bank with Verified
Questions, Correct Answers, Detailed Rationales, ECG
Interpretation, Cardiac Rhythm Analysis, Arrhythmia Recognition,
Nursing Interventions, Patient Care Scenarios & First-Attempt
Exam Success
Question 1:
What is the normal range for a resting heart rate in adults?
• A) 60-100 bpm
• B) 40-60 bpm
• C) 100-150 bpm
• D) 80-120 bpm
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: A normal resting heart rate for adults typically ranges from 60 to 100 beats
per minute (bpm).
Question 2:
Which of the following dysrhythmias is characterized by an irregularly irregular
rhythm?
• A) Atrial Fibrillation
• B) Ventricular Tachycardia
• C) Sinus Bradycardia
• D) Atrial Flutter
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation is known for its irregularly irregular rhythm, unlike other
arrhythmias that often present with a more organized pattern.
Question 3:
What does the P-wave represent in an ECG?
• A) Ventricular depolarization
• B) Atrial depolarization
• C) Ventricular repolarization
, • D) Atrial repolarization
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The P-wave represents atrial depolarization, which is the electrical activity
that triggers atrial contraction.
Question 4:
Which is a common symptom of dysrhythmia?
• A) Dizziness
• B) Weight gain
• C) Chest pain during rest
• D) Increased appetite
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: Dizziness is a common symptom associated with dysrhythmias due to
decreased cardiac output and perfusion.
Question 5:
In which condition would you expect to see a widened QRS complex?
• A) Atrial Fibrillation
• B) Ventricular Tachycardia
• C) Sinus Tachycardia
• D) Atrial Flutter
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: A widened QRS complex is typically seen in ventricular tachycardia,
indicating that the impulse is not originating from the sinus node or atria.
Question 6:
Which of the following is a characteristic sign of a third-degree AV block?
• A) Variable heart rate
• B) Regularly irregular rhythm
• C) Complete dissociation between atrial and ventricular activity
• D) Prolonged PR interval
,CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: In third-degree AV block, there is complete dissociation between atrial and
ventricular activity, meaning they beat independently.
Question 7:
What is the primary treatment for symptomatic bradycardia?
• A) Beta-blockers
• B) Atropine
• C) Amiodarone
• D) Cardioversion
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Atropine is commonly used to treat symptomatic bradycardia by increasing
the heart rate.
Question 8:
Which rhythm shows a "sawtooth" pattern on an ECG?
• A) Atrial Fibrillation
• B) Atrial Flutter
• C) Junctional Rhythm
• D) Ventricular Fibrillation
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Atrial flutter is characterized by a "sawtooth" pattern, often referred to as "F-
waves."
Question 9:
What does a flat T-wave on an ECG potentially indicate?
• A) Hyperkalemia
• B) Hypokalemia
• C) Myocardial Ischemia
• D) Atrial Enlargement
, CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: A flat T-wave can indicate hypokalemia, which affects myocardial
repolarization.
Question 10:
What is the primary characteristic of ventricular fibrillation?
• A) Regular rhythm
• B) Organized beats
• C) Chaotic electrical activity
• D) Fixed rate
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Ventricular fibrillation is characterized by chaotic electrical activity,
preventing effective heart contractions.
Question 11:
What is the first-line treatment for atrial fibrillation?
• A) Digitalis
• B) Electrical Cardioversion
• C) Anticoagulation
• D) Amiodarone
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Anticoagulation is crucial to prevent thromboembolic events in patients with
atrial fibrillation.
Question 12:
What does a QRS duration greater than 0.12 seconds typically indicate?
• A) Normal conduction
• B) Bundle branch block
• C) Atrial Flutter
• D) Stress response
