CCT Cardiac Monitoring & Emergency Response 4

Question 1

A patient's monitor alarm triggers for a heart rate of 42 bpm with narrow QRS complexes and visible P waves before each QRS. What rhythm does this most likely represent?

Accepted Answer

Sinus bradycardia

Answer

A slow rate with a consistent 1:1 P-to-QRS relationship and narrow complexes indicates sinus bradycardia, where the SA node is simply firing slowly.

Question 2

Which ECG pattern is associated with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome during normal sinus rhythm?

Accepted Answer

Short PR interval and delta wave

Answer

WPW is identified by a short PR interval (<0.12 s) and a delta wave (slurred upstroke of the QRS) caused by ventricular pre-excitation via an accessory pathway.

Question 3

The cardiothoracic technician notices ST elevation in leads V1–V4 with reciprocal depression in II, III, and aVF. Which coronary artery is most likely occluded?

Accepted Answer

Left anterior descending artery (LAD)

Answer

The LAD supplies the anterior wall and septum; its occlusion causes ST elevation in precordial leads V1–V4 with reciprocal inferior changes.

Question 4

When a patient's transcutaneous pacemaker is capturing at 70 bpm but the patient's pulse is absent, the most appropriate next action is:

Accepted Answer

Resume CPR immediately as pacemaker capture alone does not ensure perfusion

Answer

Electrical capture on the monitor does not guarantee mechanical contraction; the absence of a pulse means CPR must continue while the underlying cause is treated.

Question 5

Hyperkalemia most commonly produces which ECG change as an early sign?

Accepted Answer

Tall peaked T waves

Answer

Elevated potassium first manifests as tall, narrow, peaked (tent-like) T waves before progressing to PR prolongation, wide QRS, and sine wave pattern.

(CCT) Certified Cardiac Technician Practice Test

(CCT) Certified Cardiac Technician Practice Test

CCT Cardiac Monitoring & Emergency Response 4