NWCA CET Practice Questions + Answers
+ Rationales Grade A+.
1. Which electrical event is represented by the P wave on
an EKG?
A. Ventricular depolarization
B. Atrial repolarization
C. Atrial depolarization
D. Ventricular repolarization
Correct Answer: C. Atrial depolarization
Rationale: The P wave reflects the electrical activity that causes the atria to contract
(depolarize). Ventricular depolarization is the QRS complex.
2. A normal PR interval is:
A. 0.04–0.08 sec
B. 0.08–0.12 sec
C. 0.12–0.20 sec
D. 0.20–0.30 sec
Correct Answer: C. 0.12–0.20 sec
Rationale: The PR interval represents the time from atrial depolarization to AV node
conduction; normal range is 0.12–0.20 seconds.
3. The "J point" on an ECG represents:
A. Start of QRS
B. End of QRS and start of ST segment
C. End of T wave
D. Beginning of P wave
Correct Answer: B. End of QRS and start of ST segment
Rationale: This point is important because ST elevation or depression is measured from the J
point.
,4. Which lead is considered the "ground" lead in a
standard 12-lead ECG?
A. RA
B. LA
C. LL
D. RL
Correct Answer: D. RL
Rationale: The right leg lead is the ground and reduces electrical interference.
5. What is the normal amplitude of a standard ECG
calibration signal?
A. 5 mm
B. 10 mm
C. 15 mm
D. 20 mm
Correct Answer: B. 10 mm
Rationale: Standard gain is 10 mm = 1 mV, ensuring tracing is properly scaled.
6. Which cardiac rhythm is characterized by a chaotic,
wavy baseline with no identifiable P waves and no
organized QRS?
A. Atrial flutter
B. Atrial fibrillation
C. Ventricular tachycardia
D. Ventricular fibrillation
Correct Answer: D. Ventricular fibrillation
Rationale: V-fib has no cardiac output and appears as rapid, disorganized waves.
7. A patient becomes diaphoretic and dizzy while
performing an exercise stress test. The CET should:
, A. Continue the test
B. Increase treadmill speed
C. Stop the test immediately
D. Call for crash cart
Correct Answer: C. Stop the test immediately
Rationale: Dizziness + diaphoresis are indications to end a stress test.
8. Which limb lead views the heart from the patient’s left
lateral side?
A. Lead I
B. Lead II
C. Lead III
D. aVR
Correct Answer: A. Lead I
Rationale: Lead I measures from right arm to left arm, giving a lateral perspective.
9. What artifact appears as wavy, upward-and-downward
baseline fluctuation caused by breathing or movement?
A. Somatic tremor
B. Wandering baseline
C. AC interference
D. Interrupted baseline
Correct Answer: B. Wandering baseline
Rationale: Commonly caused by loose electrodes or deep breathing.
10. A patient with a heart rate of 40 bpm is most likely
experiencing:
A. Sinus tachycardia
B. Sinus bradycardia
C. Atrial flutter
D. Ventricular tachycardia
Correct Answer: B. Sinus bradycardia
Rationale: Sinus bradycardia is defined as a regular rhythm < 60 bpm.
+ Rationales Grade A+.
1. Which electrical event is represented by the P wave on
an EKG?
A. Ventricular depolarization
B. Atrial repolarization
C. Atrial depolarization
D. Ventricular repolarization
Correct Answer: C. Atrial depolarization
Rationale: The P wave reflects the electrical activity that causes the atria to contract
(depolarize). Ventricular depolarization is the QRS complex.
2. A normal PR interval is:
A. 0.04–0.08 sec
B. 0.08–0.12 sec
C. 0.12–0.20 sec
D. 0.20–0.30 sec
Correct Answer: C. 0.12–0.20 sec
Rationale: The PR interval represents the time from atrial depolarization to AV node
conduction; normal range is 0.12–0.20 seconds.
3. The "J point" on an ECG represents:
A. Start of QRS
B. End of QRS and start of ST segment
C. End of T wave
D. Beginning of P wave
Correct Answer: B. End of QRS and start of ST segment
Rationale: This point is important because ST elevation or depression is measured from the J
point.
,4. Which lead is considered the "ground" lead in a
standard 12-lead ECG?
A. RA
B. LA
C. LL
D. RL
Correct Answer: D. RL
Rationale: The right leg lead is the ground and reduces electrical interference.
5. What is the normal amplitude of a standard ECG
calibration signal?
A. 5 mm
B. 10 mm
C. 15 mm
D. 20 mm
Correct Answer: B. 10 mm
Rationale: Standard gain is 10 mm = 1 mV, ensuring tracing is properly scaled.
6. Which cardiac rhythm is characterized by a chaotic,
wavy baseline with no identifiable P waves and no
organized QRS?
A. Atrial flutter
B. Atrial fibrillation
C. Ventricular tachycardia
D. Ventricular fibrillation
Correct Answer: D. Ventricular fibrillation
Rationale: V-fib has no cardiac output and appears as rapid, disorganized waves.
7. A patient becomes diaphoretic and dizzy while
performing an exercise stress test. The CET should:
, A. Continue the test
B. Increase treadmill speed
C. Stop the test immediately
D. Call for crash cart
Correct Answer: C. Stop the test immediately
Rationale: Dizziness + diaphoresis are indications to end a stress test.
8. Which limb lead views the heart from the patient’s left
lateral side?
A. Lead I
B. Lead II
C. Lead III
D. aVR
Correct Answer: A. Lead I
Rationale: Lead I measures from right arm to left arm, giving a lateral perspective.
9. What artifact appears as wavy, upward-and-downward
baseline fluctuation caused by breathing or movement?
A. Somatic tremor
B. Wandering baseline
C. AC interference
D. Interrupted baseline
Correct Answer: B. Wandering baseline
Rationale: Commonly caused by loose electrodes or deep breathing.
10. A patient with a heart rate of 40 bpm is most likely
experiencing:
A. Sinus tachycardia
B. Sinus bradycardia
C. Atrial flutter
D. Ventricular tachycardia
Correct Answer: B. Sinus bradycardia
Rationale: Sinus bradycardia is defined as a regular rhythm < 60 bpm.
