CET Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CET facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What information must always be verified on the printed EKG header before submitting the tracing to the provider? → Patient name, date of birth, date and time of recording, and ordering provider
2. Which type of electrodes are used in Holter monitoring? → Disposable adhesive silver/silver chloride electrodes
3. A patient states they have a pacemaker. What is the first action the EKG technician should take? → Document the pacemaker on the requisition and proceed normally
4. What is the most important foundational concept in Lead Placement? → Understanding core principles and their practical application in Lead Placement
5. Before attaching electrodes, the technician notices the patient has very oily skin. The BEST corrective action is to: → Clean the sites with an alcohol wipe and allow to dry before electrode application
6. What is the correct paper speed for a standard resting 12-lead EKG? → 25 mm/sec
7. What is the standard voltage calibration for a clinical EKG machine? → 10 mm/mV
8. A pacemaker spike followed by a wide QRS complex most likely indicates: → Ventricular pacing
9. What role does continuing education play in maintaining the CET credential? → Continuing education is required to renew the CET and keep skills current
10. When should an EKG technician verify patient identity before performing a procedure? → Using at least two patient identifiers before every procedure
11. Which precordial lead is placed at the 4th intercostal space, right sternal border? → V1
12. What quality metrics are most important in EKG Interpretation? → Measurable outcomes, process compliance, and stakeholder satisfaction
13. What is a potential career advancement path for a Certified EKG Technician? → Cardiovascular Technologist
14. When documenting an EKG procedure in the medical record, the technician should include: → The time of acquisition, patient position, and any relevant acquisition notes
15. Which additional skill would make an EKG technician most competitive for a supervisory role? → Experience with multiple cardiac diagnostics and demonstrated leadership
16. In which type of outpatient facility might an EKG technician find a growing number of opportunities due to healthcare decentralization? → Ambulatory surgical centers and cardiology clinics
17. What does the event marker button on a Holter monitor allow the patient to do? → Mark the exact time when symptoms are experienced
18. How can employers verify that a candidate's CET credential is current and active? → By checking the NHA online credential verification portal
19. How can an EKG technician use telehealth growth to expand their career options? → By performing remote cardiac monitoring and supporting virtual cardiology consultations
20. When recording a 12-lead EKG, the standard paper speed in the United States is: → 25 mm/sec
21. An EKG technician working in an outpatient clinic is asked by a patient's family member for the EKG results. The correct response is to: → Refer the family member to the patient's physician for results
22. Which patient position is standard for a routine resting 12-lead EKG? → Supine with legs uncrossed
23. What is the job outlook for Certified EKG Technicians over the next decade? → Increasing, due to rising healthcare needs
24. Which of the following is MOST likely to cause artifact in a Holter recording? → Loose or improperly adhered electrodes
25. A hospital system is expanding its cardiac services. Which hiring action would most likely benefit EKG technicians in the region? → Opening new cardiac catheterization labs and cardiology units, creating more EKG positions
26. What is the primary purpose of the Holter monitor in the EKG technician's scope of work? → To record cardiac rhythm continuously over 24 to 48 hours for ambulatory monitoring
27. Which approach is most effective for problem-solving in Cardiac Anatomy? → Systematic analysis followed by evidence-based decision making
28. What is a benefit of becoming a Certified EKG Technician? → Short training period compared to many healthcare roles
29. Which professional boundary is most important for EKG technicians to maintain? → Limiting clinical interpretation to licensed clinicians
30. Which approach is most effective for problem-solving in Arrhythmia Recognition? → Systematic analysis followed by evidence-based decision making