Arizona EKG Technician Certification
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
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1. A 58-year-old patient presents to the emergency department
complaining of palpitations and shortness of breath. The attending
physician orders a 12-lead ECG. Prior to placing electrodes, the EKG
technician ensures that the patient’s skin is properly prepared. Which
of the following actions is most appropriate to improve electrode
contact?
A. Apply lotion to the electrode sites
B. Shave excessive hair and cleanse the skin with alcohol
C. Use cold wet towels to cool the skin
D. Place electrodes over clothing
B. Shave excessive hair and cleanse the skin with alcohol
Proper electrode contact requires removal of excess hair and
cleansing the skin to reduce resistance and ensure accurate signal
transmission for optimal ECG tracings.
2. When monitoring a patient in telemetry, the EKG technician observes
occasional premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). Which
statement best describes a PVC?
A. Early atrial depolarization
B. A widened QRS complex without a preceding P wave
C. A normal QRS with shortened PR interval
, D. Regular ventricular rhythm
B. A widened QRS complex without a preceding P wave
PVCs originate in the ventricles and produce a premature, wide QRS
complex not preceded by a P wave, reflecting abnormal ventricular
depolarization.
3. A 72-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) presents with sinus tachycardia on ECG. Which of the following
most likely explains the sinus tachycardia in this patient?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypoxemia due to respiratory compromise
C. Increased vagal tone
D. Elevated intracranial pressure
B. Hypoxemia due to respiratory compromise
COPD can lead to inadequate oxygenation, stimulating sympathetic
drive and resulting in sinus tachycardia as a compensatory response.
4. An EKG technician is preparing a 12-lead ECG on a 65-year-old male.
While placing the electrodes, the patient suddenly becomes pale and
diaphoretic. Which action should the technician take first?
A. Continue placing leads without interruption
B. Inform the patient that symptoms are normal
C. Stop the procedure and notify the nurse or physician
D. Turn off the ECG machine
C. Stop the procedure and notify the nurse or physician
Sudden symptoms like pallor and diaphoresis may indicate cardiac
distress; the technician must halt the procedure and seek immediate
clinical assistance.
5. A standard 12-lead ECG includes how many limb leads and how many
precordial leads?
A. 6 limb and 6 precordial
B. 4 limb and 8 precordial
C. 3 limb and 9 precordial
D. 3 limb, 3 augmented, and 6 precordial
D. 3 limb, 3 augmented, and 6 precordial
The 12-lead ECG consists of 3 standard limb leads, 3 augmented limb
, leads, and 6 chest/precordial leads to provide comprehensive cardiac
electrical views.
6. A patient’s ECG shows atrial fibrillation. Which characteristic is most
associated with this rhythm?
A. Regular rhythm with normal P waves
B. Absence of P waves and irregular R-R intervals
C. Peaked T waves and prolonged PR intervals
D. Wide QRS complexes with ST elevations
B. Absence of P waves and irregular R-R intervals
Atrial fibrillation is defined by chaotic atrial activity with no distinct P
waves and an irregular ventricular response reflected in variable R-R
intervals.
7. While performing an ECG, the technician notices a wandering baseline
artifact. Which of the following is most likely responsible?
A. Patient movement and respiration
B. Loose electrode connection
C. Electrical interference from nearby equipment
D. Power line interference
A. Patient movement and respiration
Wandering baseline artifacts are often due to patient movement or
deep respiration that causes baseline drift on the ECG tracing.
8. During stress testing, a patient reports chest pain and shortness of
breath. The technician observes ST segment depressions on the ECG.
What action should the technician immediately take?
A. Increase treadmill speed
B. Notify the supervising physician and prepare to stop test
C. Encourage the patient to continue
D. Reduce electrode sensitivity
B. Notify the supervising physician and prepare to stop test
ST segment depressions with symptoms may indicate ischemia; the
technician must promptly report findings and halt the exercise test.
9. Which lead placement on a 12-lead ECG provides the best view of the
inferior surface of the heart?
A. V1 and V2
B. Leads I and aVL
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
1. A 58-year-old patient presents to the emergency department
complaining of palpitations and shortness of breath. The attending
physician orders a 12-lead ECG. Prior to placing electrodes, the EKG
technician ensures that the patient’s skin is properly prepared. Which
of the following actions is most appropriate to improve electrode
contact?
A. Apply lotion to the electrode sites
B. Shave excessive hair and cleanse the skin with alcohol
C. Use cold wet towels to cool the skin
D. Place electrodes over clothing
B. Shave excessive hair and cleanse the skin with alcohol
Proper electrode contact requires removal of excess hair and
cleansing the skin to reduce resistance and ensure accurate signal
transmission for optimal ECG tracings.
2. When monitoring a patient in telemetry, the EKG technician observes
occasional premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). Which
statement best describes a PVC?
A. Early atrial depolarization
B. A widened QRS complex without a preceding P wave
C. A normal QRS with shortened PR interval
, D. Regular ventricular rhythm
B. A widened QRS complex without a preceding P wave
PVCs originate in the ventricles and produce a premature, wide QRS
complex not preceded by a P wave, reflecting abnormal ventricular
depolarization.
3. A 72-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) presents with sinus tachycardia on ECG. Which of the following
most likely explains the sinus tachycardia in this patient?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypoxemia due to respiratory compromise
C. Increased vagal tone
D. Elevated intracranial pressure
B. Hypoxemia due to respiratory compromise
COPD can lead to inadequate oxygenation, stimulating sympathetic
drive and resulting in sinus tachycardia as a compensatory response.
4. An EKG technician is preparing a 12-lead ECG on a 65-year-old male.
While placing the electrodes, the patient suddenly becomes pale and
diaphoretic. Which action should the technician take first?
A. Continue placing leads without interruption
B. Inform the patient that symptoms are normal
C. Stop the procedure and notify the nurse or physician
D. Turn off the ECG machine
C. Stop the procedure and notify the nurse or physician
Sudden symptoms like pallor and diaphoresis may indicate cardiac
distress; the technician must halt the procedure and seek immediate
clinical assistance.
5. A standard 12-lead ECG includes how many limb leads and how many
precordial leads?
A. 6 limb and 6 precordial
B. 4 limb and 8 precordial
C. 3 limb and 9 precordial
D. 3 limb, 3 augmented, and 6 precordial
D. 3 limb, 3 augmented, and 6 precordial
The 12-lead ECG consists of 3 standard limb leads, 3 augmented limb
, leads, and 6 chest/precordial leads to provide comprehensive cardiac
electrical views.
6. A patient’s ECG shows atrial fibrillation. Which characteristic is most
associated with this rhythm?
A. Regular rhythm with normal P waves
B. Absence of P waves and irregular R-R intervals
C. Peaked T waves and prolonged PR intervals
D. Wide QRS complexes with ST elevations
B. Absence of P waves and irregular R-R intervals
Atrial fibrillation is defined by chaotic atrial activity with no distinct P
waves and an irregular ventricular response reflected in variable R-R
intervals.
7. While performing an ECG, the technician notices a wandering baseline
artifact. Which of the following is most likely responsible?
A. Patient movement and respiration
B. Loose electrode connection
C. Electrical interference from nearby equipment
D. Power line interference
A. Patient movement and respiration
Wandering baseline artifacts are often due to patient movement or
deep respiration that causes baseline drift on the ECG tracing.
8. During stress testing, a patient reports chest pain and shortness of
breath. The technician observes ST segment depressions on the ECG.
What action should the technician immediately take?
A. Increase treadmill speed
B. Notify the supervising physician and prepare to stop test
C. Encourage the patient to continue
D. Reduce electrode sensitivity
B. Notify the supervising physician and prepare to stop test
ST segment depressions with symptoms may indicate ischemia; the
technician must promptly report findings and halt the exercise test.
9. Which lead placement on a 12-lead ECG provides the best view of the
inferior surface of the heart?
A. V1 and V2
B. Leads I and aVL
