EKG National Practice Exam

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• What is the term for the heart when it is contracting?
• During which phase of the heart cycle is blood received in the atria?
• Where is the U wave typically observed in an EKG?
• What does the T wave on an EKG represent?
• How is blood oxygenated in the body?
• What does an abnormal prolongation of the P-R interval suggest?
• What is the significance of the V1 to V6 leads in an EKG?
• What does the QRS complex represent in an ECG?
• Where is the AV bundle located?
• What is the minimum acceptable length for a P-R interval?
• What is the primary role of the right atrium?
• What is a lead in the context of an EKG?
• Through which vessels does blood enter the left atrium?
• What are the upper chambers of the heart called?
• What triggers the heart to beat?
• Which wave on a rhythm strip signifies the repolarization of the ventricles?
• Which part of the body is served by the inferior vena cava?
• What is the primary purpose of the EKG test?
• What is the myocardium?
• How many valves regulate blood flow through the heart?
• What does a flatline indicate in EKG readings?
• What does AVF represent regarding the heart's electrical activity?
• What is the primary function of the SA node?
• Where is the impulse generated when the heart rate drops to 40-60 beats per minute?
• What does the term 'sinus arrhythmia' primarily refer to?
• What are leads in the context of EKGs?
• What is the myocardium?
• What is the definition of normal sinus rhythm?
• What is the primary cause of heart pain?
• What is a necessary condition for the occurrence of heart pain?
• Which leads are considered precordial leads?
• Which aspect of the heart is primarily assessed through the QRS complex on an EKG?
• What is the function of the heart’s ventricles during contraction?
• What is the primary function of the heart?
• In what year was the first electrocardiogram introduced in the United States?
• Where is the AV bundle located?
• What is the primary role of the mitral valve?
• How is electrocardiography best defined?
• In an EKG, what does a large deflection indicate?
• What is the normal heart rate range for adults?
• What is the primary role of the left ventricle?
• What blood vessel carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart?
• What should be performed on a patient prior to placing electrodes for an EKG?
• What is the approximate size of a normal heart?
• What does MI stand for in cardiac terminology?
• What occurs if blood supply to the myocardium is interrupted?
• What does an atrial fibrillation EKG typically show?
• If the ventricles are in the systole phase, what is occurring?
• What condition can result when the heart beats too slowly?
• What indicates that the heart is in a state of rest?
• Where is the AV bundle located?
• Is the heart considered a dual action pump?
• Which electrical activity is typically observed in a first-degree heart block?
• What is the pericardium?
• Which structure separates the left and right sides of the heart?
• What is a potential consequence of a heart beating too slowly?
• How many chambers does the heart have?
• What physiological process does the T wave represent on an EKG?
• What does the P wave represent on an EKG?
• Which signals indicate that the heart chambers are filling with blood?
• Which term is used to describe a slow heart rate?
• Which valves are known as the semilunar valves?
• What are the upper pumping chambers of the heart called?
• What is the primary role of the heart valves?
• In which phase do the heart's ventricles relax and fill with blood?
• How is the heart classified in terms of its structure?
• The superior and inferior vena cava supply blood to which part of the heart?
• Which blood vessel leaves the heart and supplies blood to all parts of the body?
• What is the normal standardization of an ECG machine?
• Which method is considered most accurate for determining the rate of any rhythm on an EKG?
• Which wave represents atrial depolarization in an EKG?
• What is the primary purpose of the conduction system in the heart?
• Where should the AVF lead be placed during an EKG?
• Which anatomical structure is responsible for initiating the heartbeat?
• How is oxygenated blood returned to the heart?
• What are electrodes used for during an EKG?
• What is the normal standard height in millimeters for an EKG?
• What type of structures are the four chambers of the heart?
• What is the medical term for a rapid heartbeat?
• What are the internal pacemakers of the heart called?
• In cardiac terminology, what does systole indicate?
• How many leads are typically used on a standard EKG?
• What are the pericardial leads referred to in EKG terminology?
• AVR, AVL, and AVF are classified as which type of leads?
• Where does the myocardium obtain its nourishment?
• Which electrode placement is commonly used for a standard 12-lead EKG?
• Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of normal sinus rhythm?
• The valves of the heart are primarily made up of which type of tissue?
• Which chamber of the heart receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs?
• When does the U wave occur during the cardiac cycle?
• What is the inner layer of the heart called?
• Where should V1 lead be placed according to standard EKG placement?
• What function does the SA node serve in the heart?
• Which mechanism is responsible for ensuring that the heart rate remains within normal limits in sinus rhythm?
• Which interval on an EKG represents the cardiac cycle?
• What chamber of the heart does blood enter after returning from the body?
• Which layer of the heart is responsible for the contraction of the heart?
• Which lead provides the most common view of the heart looking downward toward the apex on the left side?
• Which phase of the cardiac cycle occurs immediately after systole?
• What electrical event does the QRS complex represent?
• What position should the patient be in when obtaining an EKG?
• Which valves serve as the entrance valves of the heart?
• What is the significance of the QT interval in an EKG?
• What is the pericardium?
• When does the QRS complex occur in relation to heart activity?
• What is the structure that separates the right and left sides of the heart?
• What is the term for the phase when the heart muscle is relaxing?
• What does major atherosclerosis refer to?
• What is the most common rhythm that indicates a blood clot on an EKG?
• What occurs when the atria contracts?
• From where does the inferior vena cava receive its blood?
• What type of wave is represented by an upward deflection in the QRS complex?
• Which chamber of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the lungs?
• During which phase does the heart pump blood?
• What does each large square represent when measuring the height of peaks in an EKG?
• If a patient has had an arm amputated, what is the key consideration for electrode placement?
• What is one of the appearance attributes of a normal sinus rhythm complex?
• What is the term for a rapid heartbeat?
• Which EKG strip pattern resembles muscle tremor?
• What does standardization check on an EKG machine?
• Can outside noise interference, such as a train or large truck, cause artifact in an EKG reading?
• What is a primary function of the left atrium?
• When a person feels pain in the heart, what is most likely the cause?
• Where does the U-wave appear on an EKG?
• Where is lead V4 placed?
• What does the T wave indicate on an EKG?
• What does a blood clot in the heart typically lead to?
• Who invented the electrocardiograph?
• Which strip shows asystole on an EKG?
• A muscle tremor on an EKG is commonly referred to as what?
• What function does the SA node serve in the heart?
• What does the term 'coronary artery' refer to?
• Which component of the EKG represents the time taken for both the atria to depolarize and for the impulse to travel to the ventricles?
• What is the approximate size of a normal heart?
• What describes the function of the tricuspid valve?
• What happens during the diastole phase of the heart?
• The tertiary pacemaker of the heart is commonly referred to as?
• What does the QRS complex indicate in an EKG?
• What is a heart murmur?
• What is another term for a heart rate exceeding 150 beats per minute?
• What is an electrocardiogram (EKG)?
• What is the internal pacemaker of the heart?
• What physiological condition is primarily responsible for heart pain?
• Where should the limb leads be placed when obtaining a 12 lead ECG?
• What is a lead in relation to EKGs?
• Which condition is indicated by an abnormal heart rhythm on an EKG?
• Which wave indicates atrial depolarization on an EKG?
• What might indicate a myocardial infarction on an EKG?
• What is the correct order of impulse conduction in the heart?
• What does the P wave on an EKG represent?
• What does the term electrocardiograph refer to?
• What does inadequate blood flow to the heart predominantly lead to?
• What is the method for calculating the heart rate on an EKG?
• What happens in the last step of the conduction system?
• What separates the right and left sides of the heart?
• How many valves does the heart have?
• What does a prolonged QRS complex indicate?
• What is the typical heart rate range for an individual in normal sinus rhythm?
• In a healthy heart, which side handles deoxygenated blood?
• What is the normal standard for calibration of an EKG machine?
• What phase of the cardiac cycle does the T wave indicate?
• What is the heart's activity during diastole?
• What does lead AVF record?
• What happens when the myocardium is stimulated?
• On average, how many times does a normal heart beat per minute?
• In which leads do double U waves typically appear?
• Which part of the EKG measures the interval between atrial and ventricular conduction?
• What is a lead in the context of EKGs?
• What is another name for the resting phase on an EKG?
• Why is cardiac tissue unique compared to other muscle tissues?
• What condition may occur if the heart beats too slowly?
• What effect does bradycardia typically have on a patient?
• What is an inverted T-wave indicative of?
• How long is each small square in an EKG?
• Where does blood enter the heart after returning from the body?
• What occurs in the heart when the atria contract?
• The heart functions as what type of pump?
• How many chambers does the human heart have?
• What is the myocardium composed of?
• In what position should a patient be placed when obtaining a 12-lead ECG?
• Which of the following is a major cause of heart failure?
• What is one function of the atria in the heart?
• Which structure in the heart initiates normal sinus rhythm?
• Where is the heart generally located in the human body?
• During which phase of the cardiac cycle does the heart empty?
• What does the T wave on an EKG represent?
• What term describes the contraction phase of the heart?
• When does the U wave typically appear?
• What defines a complete cardiac cycle?
• What position should a patient be in when obtaining an EKG?
• What effect does the vagus nerve have on heart rate?
• Which condition reflects the sound of faulty valve action?
• What is the name of the original pacemaker of the heart?
• What is indicated by a consistently elevated ST segment on an EKG?
• What does the ST segment of an EKG represent?
• What can excessive atherosclerosis lead to?
• What information should be coded into the ECG machine?
• What characterizes a normal sinus rhythm complex?
• What happens when the myocardium is stimulated?
• What is endocarditis?
• What does the cardiac cycle specifically refer to in an EKG?
• What is the phase of the heart called when it is relaxed and filling with blood?
• Which heart valve prevents backflow into the left atrium?
• Which component of the lead system helps to determine the heart's electrical activity from the left leg?
• When blood travels from the left atrium to the left ventricle, which valve does it go through?
• Which layer of the heart is primarily involved in its contraction?
• What is the heart's diastolic phase characterized by?
• What does ischemia refer to in cardiac health?
• What does the P-R interval represent in an EKG?
• How many electrodes are used in a standard 12-lead ECG?
• What feature of atrial fibrillation can be identified on an EKG?
• Where is the apex of the heart located?
• What is considered a normal respiratory rate for an adult?
• Which ventricle is known as the hardest working chamber of the heart?
• Which of the following best represents the cardiac cycle?
• Which of the following reflects electrical activity of the heart during diastole?
• Which chambers of the heart are known as the receiving chambers?
• As blood returns to the heart from the body, it enters which chamber first?
• Which two chambers are known as the "receiving" chambers of the heart?
• What does AVL measure in the context of the heart's electrical activity?
• What information should be coded into the ECG machine prior to performing an EKG?
• What is the membrane that encloses the heart called?
• What structure prevents backflow of blood in the heart?
• What separates the right and left side of the heart?
• How many layers does the pericardium have?
• What is the range for a normal PR interval?
• During what condition would you expect to see elevated T waves on an EKG?
• Heart blocks are caused by a blockage in the conduction system at which specific point?
• What does the P wave represent in an EKG?
• What is a myocardial infarction?
• What action does the right ventricle perform?
• What happens during the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle?
• What is a potential explanation for a heart murmur?
• The valves of the heart are primarily made up of which type of tissue?
• What is the only way to oxygenate the blood?
• In a QRS complex, if the first wave is upward, what type of wave is it?
• What is the normal range for a P-R interval in an EKG?
• What does the QRS complex indicate in an EKG?
• In an EKG interpretation, what does the QRS complex represent?
• How many leads are commonly used for a standard EKG recording?
• Where is the apex of the heart located?
• Which of the following is NOT one of the common artifacts seen in EKG readings?
• What does the P wave on an ECG signify?
• What are the lower pumping chambers of the heart called?
• What do V1 through V6 electrodes record?
• What is a common cause of an interrupted baseline on an EKG?
• What does a flattened or inverted T wave indicate?
• Does the right ventricle pump oxygenated blood to the lungs?
• What color is the ground wire in standard EKG leads placement?
• Who is credited with the invention of the electrocardiograph?