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 standard voltage calibration for a clinical EKG machine? → 10 mm/mV
7. When should an EKG technician verify patient identity before performing a procedure? → Using at least two patient identifiers before every procedure
8. Which precordial lead is placed at the 4th intercostal space, right sternal border? → V1
9. What quality metrics are most important in EKG Interpretation? → Measurable outcomes, process compliance, and stakeholder satisfaction
10. What is a potential career advancement path for a Certified EKG Technician? → Cardiovascular Technologist
11. What does the event marker button on a Holter monitor allow the patient to do? → Mark the exact time when symptoms are experienced
12. 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
13. Which patient position is standard for a routine resting 12-lead EKG? → Supine with legs uncrossed
14. What is the job outlook for Certified EKG Technicians over the next decade? → Increasing, due to rising healthcare needs
15. Which of the following is MOST likely to cause artifact in a Holter recording? → Loose or improperly adhered electrodes
16. Which approach is most effective for problem-solving in Cardiac Anatomy? → Systematic analysis followed by evidence-based decision making
17. What is a benefit of becoming a Certified EKG Technician? → Short training period compared to many healthcare roles
18. Which professional boundary is most important for EKG technicians to maintain? → Limiting clinical interpretation to licensed clinicians
19. Which approach is most effective for problem-solving in Arrhythmia Recognition? → Systematic analysis followed by evidence-based decision making
20. Which of the following is a common workplace setting for Certified EKG Technicians? → Cardiologist’s office
21. A calibration pulse at the start of an EKG tracing appears shorter than expected (5 mm instead of 10 mm). This indicates the machine is set to: → Half standard (5 mm/mV)
22. Which lead wire color corresponds to the right arm (RA) electrode in the American (AHA) color-coding system? → White
23. What role does continuing education play in EKG Interpretation? → Keeping practitioners current with evolving best practices and new developments
24. What role does continuing education play in Arrhythmia Recognition? → Keeping practitioners current with evolving best practices and new developments
25. What is the minimum passing score typically required on the NHA CET exam? → 75%
26. What quality metrics are most important in Arrhythmia Recognition? → Measurable outcomes, process compliance, and stakeholder satisfaction
27. How long does the certification exam for Certified EKG Technicians typically last? → 2 hours
28. What is the primary purpose of standardized procedures in Lead Placement? → To ensure consistency, safety, and quality across all practitioners
29. What is the purpose of using conductive gel or gel-based electrodes during an EKG? → To reduce skin resistance and improve electrical signal transmission
30. Which of the following is a characteristic of first-degree AV block? → PR interval greater than 0.20 seconds with every P wave conducted