NHI Electrocardiography and Cardiac Monitoring 3

Question 1

Atrial fibrillation on an ECG is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Absent P waves and an irregularly irregular ventricular rhythm

Answer

Regular rhythm with wide QRS complexes

Answer

Regular P waves with prolonged PR interval

Answer

Regular rhythm with peaked T waves

Question 2

A heart rate of 150 bpm with a regular rhythm and narrow QRS complexes is most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Atrial flutter with 2:1 block

Answer

Third-degree AV block

Question 3

In ventricular fibrillation (VF), the ECG shows:

Accepted Answer

Chaotic, disorganized electrical activity with no recognizable waves

Answer

Regular wide QRS complexes at a rate above 100 bpm

Answer

Absent QRS complexes with visible P waves

Answer

A sawtooth flutter wave pattern at 300 bpm

Question 4

First-degree AV block is defined on an ECG by:

Accepted Answer

A consistently prolonged PR interval greater than 0.20 seconds

Answer

Progressively lengthening PR intervals until a QRS is dropped

Answer

Complete dissociation between P waves and QRS complexes

Answer

Wide QRS complexes with no preceding P waves

Question 5

If a patient's ECG shows a completely flat line (asystole), the technician should:

Accepted Answer

Check leads and connections first, then notify the physician immediately if confirmed

Answer

Immediately administer defibrillation

Answer

Increase the paper speed and repeat the recording

Answer

Administer adenosine and recheck the tracing

Question 6

Sinus bradycardia is defined as a regular sinus rhythm with a heart rate of:

Accepted Answer

Less than 60 bpm

Answer

60–80 bpm

Answer

80–100 bpm

Answer

Greater than 100 bpm

Question 7

Which ECG change is classically associated with hyperkalemia (elevated serum potassium)?

Accepted Answer

Tall, narrow, peaked T waves

Answer

Prominent U waves following the T wave

Answer

Prolonged QT interval with flat T waves

Answer

ST-segment depression in lateral leads