EKG Basics Flashcards

Which EKG finding suggests left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH)?

Answer: Tall R waves in lateral leads with deep S waves in V1

LVH is indicated by increased QRS voltage, such as tall R waves in V5/V6 and deep S waves in V1 exceeding voltage criteria.

Proper skin preparation before EKG electrode placement includes:

Answer: Cleaning the skin with alcohol and allowing it to dry

The skin should be cleaned with alcohol and allowed to dry completely to reduce impedance and minimize artifact.

What does a delta wave on an EKG indicate?

Answer: Pre-excitation of the ventricles via an accessory pathway

A delta wave is a slurred upstroke at the beginning of the QRS and is the hallmark of Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome.

On a 12-lead EKG, leads V1 through V4 primarily view which wall of the heart?

Answer: Anterior wall

The precordial leads V1–V4 are positioned across the anterior chest and record activity from the anterior left ventricle.

Artifact on an EKG tracing is most commonly caused by:

Answer: Patient movement or muscle tremor

Patient movement, shivering, or muscle tension introduces electrical noise that appears as irregular baseline artifact.

Which EKG rhythm shows a regularly irregular pattern with a repeating pattern of grouped QRS complexes followed by a pause?

Answer: Second-degree AV block, Mobitz type I

Wenckebach (Mobitz I) produces grouped beating — a cluster of QRS complexes with progressively longer PRs, then a dropped beat.

A medical assistant is performing an EKG and notices the baseline is wandering. The most likely cause is:

Answer: Poor electrode contact or patient breathing

Baseline wander is usually caused by loose or poorly adherent electrodes, or movement from patient respiration.