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EKG Basics Flashcards

7 cards from real PCT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. When a PCT applies EKG electrodes, what should be done to the skin before electrode placement to ensure quality tracings?

    Answer: Clean and dry the skin, clip excess hair if necessary

    Proper skin preparation—cleaning with alcohol, drying, and removing excess hair—reduces impedance and artifact for a quality EKG tracing.

  2. Which EKG finding is associated with hypokalemia (low potassium)?

    Answer: Prominent U waves

    Hypokalemia classically produces prominent U waves (a positive deflection after the T wave), flattened T waves, and a prolonged QU interval.

  3. What is the significance of a delta wave on an EKG?

    Answer: It is associated with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and pre-excitation

    A delta wave (slurred upstroke of the QRS) indicates ventricular pre-excitation through an accessory pathway, characteristic of Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome.

  4. A PCT observes 60-cycle interference (electrical artifact) on the EKG tracing. The BEST first step is to:

    Answer: Check all electrode connections and ensure cables are not near electrical equipment

    60-Hz artifact is most commonly caused by poor electrode contact or nearby electrical equipment; checking connections and repositioning cables usually resolves it.

  5. Which lead records electrical activity between the right arm and left arm?

    Answer: Lead I

    Lead I measures the potential difference between the left arm (positive) and right arm (negative).

  6. Sinus arrhythmia on an EKG is characterized by:

    Answer: Regular rate that varies with breathing but normal P-QRS relationship

    Sinus arrhythmia is a normal variant where the heart rate increases with inhalation and decreases with exhalation, but P wave morphology and PR interval remain normal.

  7. On a rhythm strip, a patient has regular P waves at 80 bpm but only some P waves are followed by QRS complexes and the PR interval progressively lengthens before a dropped beat. This describes:

    Answer: Mobitz Type I (Wenckebach) block

    Mobitz Type I (Wenckebach) second-degree AV block is identified by a progressively lengthening PR interval until a P wave fails to conduct and a QRS is dropped.