2025 IBHRE Exam Questions with
Answers and Rationale
A function of pacemaker circuitry that allows the pacemaker output pulse to be dissipated
quickly maximizing both the output and sensing capabilities.
a) circuit resistors
b) charge dump
c) pulse neutralizer
d) current consumption ------- Correct Ans ---------- B. Charge Dump
AV sequentially paced patients with frequent ventricular ectopy should have the following
pacemaker parameters programmed to decrease the chance of competition:
a) short blanking period
b) slower base rate
c) increased ventricular refractory period
d) none of the above ------- Correct Ans ---------- A. Short Blanking Period
Low threshold electrode materials include each of the following EXCEPT:
a) iridium oxide
b) elgiloy
c) platinized platinum
d) titanium nitride ------- Correct Ans ---------- B. Elgiloy
,The strength duration curve resulting in a parabolic shape is described by which of the following
formulas?
a) I x t
b) I x V x t
c) I x R
d) all of the above ------- Correct Ans ---------- B. I x V x t
The ventriculoatrial conduction time of a pacemaker patient with a typical endless-loop-
tachycardia may be calculated by which equation?
a) (upper rate limit interval) - ( AV delay + PVARP)
b) (upper rate limit interval) - ( AV delay + PVARP + Wenckebach interval
c) (lower rate limit interval) - ( upper rate limit interval)
d) none of the above ------- Correct Ans ---------- D. None of the above
Which of the following programmings would not prevent crosstalk?
a) a prolonged blanking period
b) "safety pacing"
c) low atrial output
d) less sensitive ventricular sensitivity ------- Correct Ans ---------- B. "Safety Pacing"
The most commonly used battery chemistry in ICDs is:
a) lithium thionyl chloride
b) lithium manganese dioxide
,c) lithium silver vanadium oxide
d) lithium manganese dioxide ------- Correct Ans ---------- C. Lithium Silver Vanadium Oxide
The purpose of a capacitor in an electrical circuit is to:
a) convert AC to DC current
b) store electrical charge
c) rapidly switch battery voltage on or off
d) limit current flow to a single direction ------- Correct Ans ---------- B. Store Electrical Charge
A programming mode that would NOT be utilized to manage intermittent atrial fibrillation in a
patient with a DDD pacemaker is:.
a) DDI
b) DVI
c) VDD
d) VVI ------- Correct Ans ---------- C. VDD
Variations in stimulus morphology on the surface ECG of an analog recorder may be caused by:
a) a dislodged electrode
b) an electrical short
c) changes in patient position
d) all of the above ------- Correct Ans ---------- D. All of the above
All of the following have been used as ERI magnet responses except:
, a) abrupt increase in rate
b) abrupt decrease in rate
c) gradual increase in rate
d) gradual decrease in rate ------- Correct Ans ---------- C. Gradual Increase In Rate
Which of the following has not been used as an indicator of battery depletion?
a) pulse width stretching
b) mode change
c) programmed amplitude reversion
d) telemetered battery impedance ------- Correct Ans ---------- C. Programmed Amplitude
Reversion
The electrical circuit that converts a signal with both positive and negative components into a
signal with only one component?
a) resistor
b) rectifier
c) diode
d) capacitor ------- Correct Ans ---------- B. Rectifier
Which of the following would account for the most common cause of inappropriate mode
switching?
a) ventricular lead sensing atrial signals
b) lead insulation break
Answers and Rationale
A function of pacemaker circuitry that allows the pacemaker output pulse to be dissipated
quickly maximizing both the output and sensing capabilities.
a) circuit resistors
b) charge dump
c) pulse neutralizer
d) current consumption ------- Correct Ans ---------- B. Charge Dump
AV sequentially paced patients with frequent ventricular ectopy should have the following
pacemaker parameters programmed to decrease the chance of competition:
a) short blanking period
b) slower base rate
c) increased ventricular refractory period
d) none of the above ------- Correct Ans ---------- A. Short Blanking Period
Low threshold electrode materials include each of the following EXCEPT:
a) iridium oxide
b) elgiloy
c) platinized platinum
d) titanium nitride ------- Correct Ans ---------- B. Elgiloy
,The strength duration curve resulting in a parabolic shape is described by which of the following
formulas?
a) I x t
b) I x V x t
c) I x R
d) all of the above ------- Correct Ans ---------- B. I x V x t
The ventriculoatrial conduction time of a pacemaker patient with a typical endless-loop-
tachycardia may be calculated by which equation?
a) (upper rate limit interval) - ( AV delay + PVARP)
b) (upper rate limit interval) - ( AV delay + PVARP + Wenckebach interval
c) (lower rate limit interval) - ( upper rate limit interval)
d) none of the above ------- Correct Ans ---------- D. None of the above
Which of the following programmings would not prevent crosstalk?
a) a prolonged blanking period
b) "safety pacing"
c) low atrial output
d) less sensitive ventricular sensitivity ------- Correct Ans ---------- B. "Safety Pacing"
The most commonly used battery chemistry in ICDs is:
a) lithium thionyl chloride
b) lithium manganese dioxide
,c) lithium silver vanadium oxide
d) lithium manganese dioxide ------- Correct Ans ---------- C. Lithium Silver Vanadium Oxide
The purpose of a capacitor in an electrical circuit is to:
a) convert AC to DC current
b) store electrical charge
c) rapidly switch battery voltage on or off
d) limit current flow to a single direction ------- Correct Ans ---------- B. Store Electrical Charge
A programming mode that would NOT be utilized to manage intermittent atrial fibrillation in a
patient with a DDD pacemaker is:.
a) DDI
b) DVI
c) VDD
d) VVI ------- Correct Ans ---------- C. VDD
Variations in stimulus morphology on the surface ECG of an analog recorder may be caused by:
a) a dislodged electrode
b) an electrical short
c) changes in patient position
d) all of the above ------- Correct Ans ---------- D. All of the above
All of the following have been used as ERI magnet responses except:
, a) abrupt increase in rate
b) abrupt decrease in rate
c) gradual increase in rate
d) gradual decrease in rate ------- Correct Ans ---------- C. Gradual Increase In Rate
Which of the following has not been used as an indicator of battery depletion?
a) pulse width stretching
b) mode change
c) programmed amplitude reversion
d) telemetered battery impedance ------- Correct Ans ---------- C. Programmed Amplitude
Reversion
The electrical circuit that converts a signal with both positive and negative components into a
signal with only one component?
a) resistor
b) rectifier
c) diode
d) capacitor ------- Correct Ans ---------- B. Rectifier
Which of the following would account for the most common cause of inappropriate mode
switching?
a) ventricular lead sensing atrial signals
b) lead insulation break
