DC Quality Assurance & Standards 3

Question 1

Which electrode placement error is most likely to produce an artifactual wide QRS mimicking ventricular tachycardia on a 12-lead ECG?

Accepted Answer

Limb lead reversal (e.g., RA and LA switched)

Answer

Limb lead reversal (especially RA-LA swap) distorts axis and morphology, producing patterns that can falsely resemble wide-complex tachycardias.

Question 2

In a performance improvement cycle for dysrhythmia monitoring, which step follows data collection and analysis?

Accepted Answer

Implement targeted interventions and re-measure outcomes

Answer

The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model requires implementing evidence-based interventions after analysis and then reassessing to confirm improvement.

Question 3

What does a sensitivity setting of 10 mm/mV on an ECG tracing indicate?

Accepted Answer

Standard sensitivity where 1 mV of electrical signal produces a 10 mm deflection

Answer

10 mm/mV is the internationally accepted standard sensitivity for ECG recording, allowing consistent amplitude measurements across institutions.

Question 4

A quality review reveals technicians are inconsistently applying the V4 precordial electrode. What is the correct landmark?

Accepted Answer

5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line

Answer

V4 is placed at the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line, a standard landmark critical for accurate precordial lead placement.

Question 5

Which AACN practice alert guides monitoring frequency reassessment for patients on telemetry?

Accepted Answer

AACN Practice Alert on Alarm Management recommends reassessing monitoring need and alarm settings every 12 hours

Answer

AACN's Alarm Management Practice Alert calls for reassessing the necessity of monitoring and alarm thresholds at least every 12 hours to reduce alarm fatigue.

(DC) Dysrhythmia Certification Practice Test

(DC) Dysrhythmia Certification Practice Test

DC Quality Assurance & Standards 3