CRAT - Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician Atrial Arrhythmia Identification Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient's ECG strip shows a narrow complex tachycardia at a regular rate of 150 bpm.
The baseline has a characteristic "saw-tooth" appearance, which is most prominent in leads II, III, and aVF.
No clear P waves are discernible.
What is the most likely atrial arrhythmia?

Accepted Answer

Atrial Flutter

Answer

Atrial Fibrillation

Answer

Sinus Tachycardia

Answer

Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia

Question 2

Which of the following ECG findings is essential for the diagnosis of Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia (MAT)?

Accepted Answer

At least three different P wave morphologies in the same lead

Answer

A ventricular rate less than 100 bpm

Answer

A regularly irregular rhythm

Answer

The absence of an isoelectric baseline

Question 3

A rhythm strip displays an irregularly irregular rhythm with no identifiable P waves and a variable ventricular rate of 120-140 bpm. The baseline appears chaotic and wavy. These findings are most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Atrial Fibrillation

Answer

Atrial Flutter with variable block

Answer

Wandering Atrial Pacemaker

Answer

Atrial Tachycardia

Question 4

A technician observes a rhythm strip where the underlying sinus rhythm is interrupted by a single beat that occurs earlier than expected. This premature beat has a P wave with a different morphology from the sinus P waves, followed by a normal QRS complex. What is this single beat called?

Accepted Answer

Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC)

Answer

Premature Junctional Contraction (PJC)

Answer

Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC)

Answer

Atrial Bigeminy

Question 5

A patient is admitted with palpitations. The ECG shows a regular, narrow-complex tachycardia at 130 bpm. There is a P wave before each QRS, but the P wave morphology is different from the patient's baseline sinus rhythm ECG, being inverted in lead III. The PR interval is constant. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Atrial Tachycardia

Answer

Sinus Tachycardia

Answer

Atrial Fibrillation

Answer

Atrial Flutter

Question 6

When analyzing a rhythm strip for atrial fibrillation, which characteristic is the most definitive indicator of this arrhythmia?

Accepted Answer

An irregularly irregular R-R interval with no discernible P waves

Answer

A rapid heart rate exceeding 150 bpm

Answer

The presence of coarse fibrillatory waves

Answer

A narrow QRS complex (<0.12s)