KAISER EKG TEST STUDY GUIDE 2026
COMPLETE REVIEW WITH ARRHYTHMIAS,
RHYTHM IDENTIFICATION, AND CLINICAL
INTERPRETATION
◉ repolarization.
Answer: movement of cells = inside is negative again
- na+ channels close, k+ channels open
- MECHANICAL
◉ p wave
qrs wave
t wave.
Answer: - (p) atrial depolarization
- (qrs) ventricular depolarization
- (t) ventricular repolarization
◉ refractory period.
Answer: per of time where cardiac cells cannot respond to stimulus
◉ absolute refractory period.
,Answer: beginning of qrs to peak of t wave
◉ relative refractory (vulnerable per of repolarization).
Answer: - cardiac cells have repolarized enough to respond to strong
stimulus
- during this per a strong stimulus may overtake the pacemaker of
the heart
- ex. PVC during vulnerable period may turn into vtach or torsades
- prolonged QT interval inc possibility
◉ causes of prolonged qt intervals.
Answer: haldol, bradycardia, hypokalemia
◉ automaticity.
Answer: ability of pacemaker cells to initiate electrical impulse
◉ excitability.
Answer: ability of muscle cells to respond to outside stimulus
◉ conductivity.
Answer: ability to recieve electrical stimulus and conduct impulse to
adjacent cells
,◉ contraction.
Answer: cardiac cells shorten = muscular contraction in response to
electrical stimulus
◉ sa node.
Answer: - primary pacemaker of heart
- 60-90 bpm
◉ av node.
Answer: delay = atrial contraction + ventricular filling
- 40-60 bpm
◉ bundle of his.
Answer: ability to self initiate electrical activity
- 40-60 bpm
◉ purkinje fibers.
Answer: network of fibers that carry electrical impulse to
ventricular muscle cells
- 20-40 bpm
, ◉ NSR
Brady
Tachy
SVT
Junctional
Ventricular rhythm.
Answer: NSR 60-100
Brady 40-60
Tachy >100
SVT >150
Junctional 40-60
Ventricular rhythm 20 - 40
◉ PR interval.
Answer: 0.12-0.20
beginning of p to beginning of qrs
◉ qrs interval.
Answer: < 0.12
beginning of q to end of s
◉ qt interval.
COMPLETE REVIEW WITH ARRHYTHMIAS,
RHYTHM IDENTIFICATION, AND CLINICAL
INTERPRETATION
◉ repolarization.
Answer: movement of cells = inside is negative again
- na+ channels close, k+ channels open
- MECHANICAL
◉ p wave
qrs wave
t wave.
Answer: - (p) atrial depolarization
- (qrs) ventricular depolarization
- (t) ventricular repolarization
◉ refractory period.
Answer: per of time where cardiac cells cannot respond to stimulus
◉ absolute refractory period.
,Answer: beginning of qrs to peak of t wave
◉ relative refractory (vulnerable per of repolarization).
Answer: - cardiac cells have repolarized enough to respond to strong
stimulus
- during this per a strong stimulus may overtake the pacemaker of
the heart
- ex. PVC during vulnerable period may turn into vtach or torsades
- prolonged QT interval inc possibility
◉ causes of prolonged qt intervals.
Answer: haldol, bradycardia, hypokalemia
◉ automaticity.
Answer: ability of pacemaker cells to initiate electrical impulse
◉ excitability.
Answer: ability of muscle cells to respond to outside stimulus
◉ conductivity.
Answer: ability to recieve electrical stimulus and conduct impulse to
adjacent cells
,◉ contraction.
Answer: cardiac cells shorten = muscular contraction in response to
electrical stimulus
◉ sa node.
Answer: - primary pacemaker of heart
- 60-90 bpm
◉ av node.
Answer: delay = atrial contraction + ventricular filling
- 40-60 bpm
◉ bundle of his.
Answer: ability to self initiate electrical activity
- 40-60 bpm
◉ purkinje fibers.
Answer: network of fibers that carry electrical impulse to
ventricular muscle cells
- 20-40 bpm
, ◉ NSR
Brady
Tachy
SVT
Junctional
Ventricular rhythm.
Answer: NSR 60-100
Brady 40-60
Tachy >100
SVT >150
Junctional 40-60
Ventricular rhythm 20 - 40
◉ PR interval.
Answer: 0.12-0.20
beginning of p to beginning of qrs
◉ qrs interval.
Answer: < 0.12
beginning of q to end of s
◉ qt interval.
