Question 1

Why is the electrical impulse temporarily delayed at the atrioventricular (AV) node?

Accepted Answer

A)  To allow complete emptying of the ventricles 
B)  To allow more sodium buildup in the myocardial cells 
C)  To allow better filling of the ventricles 
D)  To allow complete filling of the atria 
A)  To allow complete emptying of the ventricles 
B)  To allow more sodium buildup in the myocardial cells 
C)  To allow better filling of the ventricles 
D)  To allow complete filling of the atria C

Question 2

A patient taking an ECG shows a regular sawtooth pattern with 30 P waves within a 6-sec interval (30 large boxes). What course of treatment should this patient receive for this arrhythmia?
1) Calcium channel blockers
2) Digoxin
3) Cardioversion
4) Defibrillation

Accepted Answer

A) 1, 2, and 3 only 
B) 2 and 4 only 
C) 3 only 
D) 1, 2, 3, and 4 
A) 1, 2, and 3 only 
B) 2 and 4 only 
C) 3 only 
D) 1, 2, 3, and 4 A

Question 3

Which of the following ECG abnormalities is most life threatening?

Accepted Answer

A)  Narrow QRS complex 
B)  Shortened PR interval 
C)  Elevated ST segment 
D)  Peak P waves 
A)  Narrow QRS complex 
B)  Shortened PR interval 
C)  Elevated ST segment 
D)  Peak P waves C

Question 4

What is suggested by inverted T waves on the ECG?

Accepted Answer

A)  Atrial enlargement 
B)  Myocardial ischemia 
C)  Ventricular hypertrophy 
D)  Dextrocardia 
A)  Atrial enlargement 
B)  Myocardial ischemia 
C)  Ventricular hypertrophy 
D)  Dextrocardia

Question 5

Which of the following are common causes of ventricular tachycardia?
1) Myocardial infarction
2) Coronary artery disease
3) Hypertensive heart disease
4) Pericarditis

Accepted Answer

A) 2 and 3 only 
B) 1, 2, and 4 only 
C) 1 and 4 only 
D) 1, 2, and 3 only 
A) 2 and 3 only 
B) 1, 2, and 4 only 
C) 1 and 4 only 
D) 1, 2, and 3 only

Question 6

What term is used to define the ability of certain cardiac cells to depolarize without stimulation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Automaticity 
B)  Polarization 
C)  Contraction 
D)  Autopolarization 
A)  Automaticity 
B)  Polarization 
C)  Contraction 
D)  Autopolarization

Question 7

What type of medications may lead to first-degree heart block?

Accepted Answer

A)  Bronchodilators 
B)  Corticosteroids 
C)  Beta blockers 
D)  Xanthines 
A)  Bronchodilators 
B)  Corticosteroids 
C)  Beta blockers 
D)  Xanthines

Question 8

What is the width of the normal QRS complex?

Accepted Answer

A)  Not wider than 1 mm 
B)  Not wider than 3 mm 
C)  Not wider than 5 mm 
D)  Not wider than 7 mm 
A)  Not wider than 1 mm 
B)  Not wider than 3 mm 
C)  Not wider than 5 mm 
D)  Not wider than 7 mm

Question 9

Which of the following axis placements represents right-axis deviation?

Accepted Answer

A)  +60 
B)  +90 
C)  +120 
D)  +190 
A)  +60 
B)  +90 
C)  +120 
D)  +190

Question 10

What structure serves as the backup pacemaker for the heart?

Accepted Answer

A)  Atrioventricular (AV) node 
B)  Sinoatrial (S
A)  node 
C)  Bundle of His 
D)  Purkinje fibers 
A)  Atrioventricular (AV) node 
B)  Sinoatrial (S
A)  node 
C)  Bundle of His 
D)  Purkinje fibers

Question 11

Which of the following waves represents repolarization of the ventricles?

Accepted Answer

A)  P wave 
B)  QRS wave 
C)  T wave 
D)  U wave 
A)  P wave 
B)  QRS wave 
C)  T wave 
D)  U wave

Question 12

What is the normal period of time for the PR interval?

Accepted Answer

A)  Not longer than 0.20 sec 
B)  Not longer than 0.30 sec 
C)  Not longer than 0.45 sec 
D)  Not longer than 0.50 sec 
A)  Not longer than 0.20 sec 
B)  Not longer than 0.30 sec 
C)  Not longer than 0.45 sec 
D)  Not longer than 0.50 sec

Question 13

What structure normally paces the healthy heart?

Accepted Answer

A)  Atrioventricular (AV) node 
B)  Sinoatrial (S
A)  node 
C)  Bundle of His 
D)  Purkinje fibers 
A)  Atrioventricular (AV) node 
B)  Sinoatrial (S
A)  node 
C)  Bundle of His 
D)  Purkinje fibers

Question 14

Which of the following clinical conditions are associated with tachycardia?
1) Anxiety
2) Hypoxemia
3) Pain
4) Hypothermia

Accepted Answer

A) 2 and 4 only 
B) 1, 3, and 4 only 
C) 1, 2, and 3 only 
D) 1, 2, 3, and 4 
A) 2 and 4 only 
B) 1, 3, and 4 only 
C) 1, 2, and 3 only 
D) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Question 15

What is a possible serious complication associated with atrial fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pulmonary edema 
B)  Atrial thrombi 
C)  Cardiac tamponade 
D)  Cardiac standstill 
A)  Pulmonary edema 
B)  Atrial thrombi 
C)  Cardiac tamponade 
D)  Cardiac standstill

Question 16

Which of the following criteria applies to third-degree block?

Accepted Answer

A)  There is no relationship between the P waves and the QRS complexes. 
B)  The PR interval becomes progressively longer. 
C)  The ventricular rate is twice that of the atrial rate. 
D)  The QRS complex is inverted compared to the P wave. 
A)  There is no relationship between the P waves and the QRS complexes. 
B)  The PR interval becomes progressively longer. 
C)  The ventricular rate is twice that of the atrial rate. 
D)  The QRS complex is inverted compared to the P wave.

Question 17

An unconscious patient is bought in by EMS into an ER trauma room. Patient has no detectable pulse, and the ECG baseline waveform shows grossly irregular fluctuations with a zigzag pattern. What is the course of action to treat this patient?
1) Rapid defibrillation
2) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
3) Administration of oxygen
4) Administration of an antiarrhythmic medication

Accepted Answer

A) 1, 2, and 3 only 
B) 2 and 4 only 
C) 3 only 
D) 1, 2, 3, and 4 
A) 1, 2, and 3 only 
B) 2 and 4 only 
C) 3 only 
D) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Question 18

On inspection of an ECG rhythm strip from an adult patient, you notice the following: regular sawtooth-like waves occurring at a rate of 280/min and a regular ventricular rhythm occurring at a rate of approximately 140/min. What is the most likely interpretation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Atrial fibrillation 
B)  Atrial flutter 
C)  Ventricular tachycardia 
D)  Ventricular fibrillation 
A)  Atrial fibrillation 
B)  Atrial flutter 
C)  Ventricular tachycardia 
D)  Ventricular fibrillation

Question 19

Which of the following medications is used to treat symptomatic sinus bradycardia?

Accepted Answer

A)  Atropine 
B)  Digitalis 
C)  Propranol 
D)  Lidocaine 
A)  Atropine 
B)  Digitalis 
C)  Propranol 
D)  Lidocaine

Question 20

Which of the following is a potential complication for a patient with atrial fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Asthma 
B)  COPD 
C)  Blood clot formation 
D)  Renal failure 
A)  Asthma 
B)  COPD 
C)  Blood clot formation 
D)  Renal failure

Exam 18: Interpreting the Electrocardiogram

Why is the electrical impulse temporarily delayed at the atrioventricular (AV) node?

A patient taking an ECG shows a regular sawtooth pattern with 30 P waves within a 6-sec interval (30 large boxes). What course of treatment should this patient receive for this arrhythmia? 1) Calcium channel blockers 2) Digoxin 3) Cardioversion 4) Defibrillation

Which of the following ECG abnormalities is most life threatening?

What is suggested by inverted T waves on the ECG?

Which of the following are common causes of ventricular tachycardia? 1) Myocardial infarction 2) Coronary artery disease 3) Hypertensive heart disease 4) Pericarditis

What term is used to define the ability of certain cardiac cells to depolarize without stimulation?

What type of medications may lead to first-degree heart block?

What is the width of the normal QRS complex?

Which of the following axis placements represents right-axis deviation?

What structure serves as the backup pacemaker for the heart?

Which of the following waves represents repolarization of the ventricles?

What is the normal period of time for the PR interval?

What structure normally paces the healthy heart?

Which of the following clinical conditions are associated with tachycardia? 1) Anxiety 2) Hypoxemia 3) Pain 4) Hypothermia

What is a possible serious complication associated with atrial fibrillation?

Which of the following criteria applies to third-degree block?

On inspection of an ECG rhythm strip from an adult patient, you notice the following: regular sawtooth-like waves occurring at a rate of 280/min and a regular ventricular rhythm occurring at a rate of approximately 140/min. What is the most likely interpretation?

Which of the following medications is used to treat symptomatic sinus bradycardia?

Which of the following is a potential complication for a patient with atrial fibrillation?

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