Certified EKG Technician (CET) Practice Exam
2025-2026 Edition-Real Exam Questions with
verified Correct Answer’’
1. Which of the following represents the normal heart rate in
adults?
A) 30–50 bpm
B) 50–60 bpm
C) 60–100 bpm
D) 100–120 bpm
Normal adult heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute.
2. What does the P wave on an EKG represent?
A) Atrial depolarization
B) Ventricular depolarization
C) Ventricular repolarization
D) Atrial repolarization
The P wave reflects the electrical activity as the atria contract.
3. Which lead is considered the "ground" lead in a standard 12-
lead EKG?
A) RA
B) LA
C) LL
D) RL
,The right leg (RL) electrode serves as the ground to stabilize the
tracing.
4. Which of the following best describes bradycardia?
A) Heart rate above 100 bpm
B) Heart rate below 60 bpm
C) Irregular heart rhythm
D) No identifiable P waves
Bradycardia is defined as a slower than normal heart rate, under 60
bpm in adults.
5. What is the correct placement of the V1 chest lead?
A) Fourth intercostal space, left sternal border
B) Fourth intercostal space, right sternal border
C) Fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line
D) Fifth intercostal space, anterior axillary line
V1 is placed in the fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border
to view right ventricular activity.
6. A patient experiencing chest pain should first be assessed for:
A) Blood pressure only
B) Airway, breathing, circulation (ABCs)
C) Heart rhythm
D) Height and weight
ABCs are the first priority in any emergency to ensure the patient’s
vital functions are stable.
7. Which of the following artifacts appears as small, erratic spikes
on an EKG tracing?
, A) Somatic tremor
B) Wandering baseline
C) AC interference
D) Broken recording
AC interference occurs due to electrical interference, producing small,
regular spikes.
8. What does the QRS complex indicate on an EKG?
A) Atrial repolarization
B) Ventricular depolarization
C) Atrial depolarization
D) Ventricular repolarization
The QRS complex represents the electrical activity of the ventricles as
they contract.
9. Which electrolyte abnormality is most likely to cause peaked T
waves?
A) Hypocalcemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Hypernatremia
High potassium levels can produce characteristic peaked T waves on
an EKG.
10. When preparing a patient for a 12-lead EKG, which of the
following is correct?
A) Place electrodes over thick clothing
B) Shave only the chest hair over the left side
, C) Clean and dry skin before applying electrodes
D) Avoid placing electrodes on limbs
Proper skin preparation ensures good electrode contact and accurate
readings.
11. Which of the following describes tachycardia?
A) Heart rate below 50 bpm
B) Heart rate between 50–60 bpm
C) Heart rate above 100 bpm
D) Absence of P waves
Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate exceeding 100 beats per
minute in adults.
12. A wandering baseline artifact is often caused by:
A) Loose electrode
B) Patient movement or respiration
C) Electrical interference
D) Faulty EKG machine
Movement or deep breathing can shift the baseline, causing
wandering appearance.
13. Which lead provides a view of the inferior wall of the
heart?
A) I, aVL
B) V1, V2
C) II, III, aVF
D) V5, V6
Leads II, III, and aVF look at the heart from the inferior perspective.
2025-2026 Edition-Real Exam Questions with
verified Correct Answer’’
1. Which of the following represents the normal heart rate in
adults?
A) 30–50 bpm
B) 50–60 bpm
C) 60–100 bpm
D) 100–120 bpm
Normal adult heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute.
2. What does the P wave on an EKG represent?
A) Atrial depolarization
B) Ventricular depolarization
C) Ventricular repolarization
D) Atrial repolarization
The P wave reflects the electrical activity as the atria contract.
3. Which lead is considered the "ground" lead in a standard 12-
lead EKG?
A) RA
B) LA
C) LL
D) RL
,The right leg (RL) electrode serves as the ground to stabilize the
tracing.
4. Which of the following best describes bradycardia?
A) Heart rate above 100 bpm
B) Heart rate below 60 bpm
C) Irregular heart rhythm
D) No identifiable P waves
Bradycardia is defined as a slower than normal heart rate, under 60
bpm in adults.
5. What is the correct placement of the V1 chest lead?
A) Fourth intercostal space, left sternal border
B) Fourth intercostal space, right sternal border
C) Fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line
D) Fifth intercostal space, anterior axillary line
V1 is placed in the fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border
to view right ventricular activity.
6. A patient experiencing chest pain should first be assessed for:
A) Blood pressure only
B) Airway, breathing, circulation (ABCs)
C) Heart rhythm
D) Height and weight
ABCs are the first priority in any emergency to ensure the patient’s
vital functions are stable.
7. Which of the following artifacts appears as small, erratic spikes
on an EKG tracing?
, A) Somatic tremor
B) Wandering baseline
C) AC interference
D) Broken recording
AC interference occurs due to electrical interference, producing small,
regular spikes.
8. What does the QRS complex indicate on an EKG?
A) Atrial repolarization
B) Ventricular depolarization
C) Atrial depolarization
D) Ventricular repolarization
The QRS complex represents the electrical activity of the ventricles as
they contract.
9. Which electrolyte abnormality is most likely to cause peaked T
waves?
A) Hypocalcemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Hypernatremia
High potassium levels can produce characteristic peaked T waves on
an EKG.
10. When preparing a patient for a 12-lead EKG, which of the
following is correct?
A) Place electrodes over thick clothing
B) Shave only the chest hair over the left side
, C) Clean and dry skin before applying electrodes
D) Avoid placing electrodes on limbs
Proper skin preparation ensures good electrode contact and accurate
readings.
11. Which of the following describes tachycardia?
A) Heart rate below 50 bpm
B) Heart rate between 50–60 bpm
C) Heart rate above 100 bpm
D) Absence of P waves
Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate exceeding 100 beats per
minute in adults.
12. A wandering baseline artifact is often caused by:
A) Loose electrode
B) Patient movement or respiration
C) Electrical interference
D) Faulty EKG machine
Movement or deep breathing can shift the baseline, causing
wandering appearance.
13. Which lead provides a view of the inferior wall of the
heart?
A) I, aVL
B) V1, V2
C) II, III, aVF
D) V5, V6
Leads II, III, and aVF look at the heart from the inferior perspective.
