Which of the following is a characteristic of left bundle branch block?

The right ventricle depolarizes normally, but conduction through the left ventricle is slowed.

Your patient states, "I do not want that electricity going through me!" as you are getting ready to perform an ECG on him. The best response is to:

explain that the ECG machine is not harmful and does not produce electricity.

Why do ventricular rhythms occur?

Because higher pacemaker sites within the heart have failed

The heart is divided into four chambers. The bottom chambers are the:

right ventricle and left ventricle.

You are performing a 12-lead ECG on a hospital patient using a portable ECG machine on a cart. As you are conducting the ECG, a red line appears at the bottom of the ECG graph paper. What should you do?

Continue the ECG, but remember to replace the paper before performing the next ECG.

What causes the inverted P wave morphology found with junctional rhythms?

Electrical impulses are coming from the AV node, causing atrial depolarization to flow retrogradely.

The V2 lead should be placed at the:

fourth intercostal space, left sternal border.

Which of the following is an advantage of using dot matrix paper instead of the standard grid paper?

Dot matrix paper produces sharper photocopies than standard grid paper.

After you have prepared the ECG machine and attached the electrodes and leads to the patient, what is the next thing you do if you are using an automatic ECG machine?

Press the Run or Auto button on the ECG machine.

Which of the following is most important to perform prior to performing an ECG?

Explain to the patient what you are going to do before you do it

If the patient asks questions after you have explained the ECG procedure, you should:

repeat the instructions and clarify any questions the patient has.

When applying chest leads, you will place the V4 lead:

at the fifth ICS, left midclavicular line.

How is a right bundle branch block (RBBB) distinguished from a left bundle branch block (LBBB)?

Monitor lead V1. If the majority of the ventricular depolarization is positively deflected, it is RBBB; if the QRS is negative, it is LBBB

Which of the following statements best describes an atrioventricular pacemaker?

It mimics the normal cardiac conduction system and allows the atria to contract completely before the ventricles to allow for an atrial kick.

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EKG Technician & Car

Question	Answer
Which one of these is not a commonly used method to calculate heart rates?	1-minute method
Which lead is referenced to distinguish a right bundle branch block (RBBB) from a left bundle branch block (LBBB)?	V1
Which of the following is a characteristic of left bundle branch block?	The right ventricle depolarizes normally, but conduction through the left ventricle is slowed.
Your patient states, "I do not want that electricity going through me!" as you are getting ready to perform an ECG on him. The best response is to:	explain that the ECG machine is not harmful and does not produce electricity.
Which dysrhythmia occurs when the SA node stops firing, causing a pause in electrical activity?	Sinus arrest
What is the collective term for the AV node and the surrounding tissue, including the bundle of His?	AV junction
Why do ventricular rhythms occur?	Because higher pacemaker sites within the heart have failed
Which of the following is not another name for exercise electrocardiography?	Echocardiogram
The heart is divided into four chambers. The bottom chambers are the:	right ventricle and left ventricle.
In pulmonary circulation, blood is transported from the right ventricle to the:	lungs.
What is the term for a narrowing of the coronary arteries that causes a reduction in the blood flow to the heart?	Coronary vascular disease
A condition in which the patient loses consciousness or faints is known as:	syncope.
Which term indicates the mark on an ECG tracing that represents the stimulation of electrical current from the pacemaker generator?	Pacing spike
If the electrical impulse is initiated at the midpoint of the AV junction, where would you expect the P waves to appear on the ECG tracing?	Within the QRS complex
The Einthoven triangle is formed by the following three limb leads:	right arm, left arm, left leg.
The force at which blood is pumped against the walls of the arteries is a person's:	blood pressure.
Which leads view the anterior wall of the left ventricle?	V3 and V4
The time from the beginning of atrial depolarization to the beginning of ventricular depolarization is shown on the ECG waveform as the:	PR interval.
You are performing a 12-lead ECG on a hospital patient using a portable ECG machine on a cart. As you are conducting the ECG, a red line appears at the bottom of the ECG graph paper. What should you do?	Continue the ECG, but remember to replace the paper before performing the next ECG.
What causes the inverted P wave morphology found with junctional rhythms?	Electrical impulses are coming from the AV node, causing atrial depolarization to flow retrogradely.
The term for an abnormal heartbeat is:	dysrhythmia
What is the outermost layer of a blood vessel called?	Tunica adventitia
The V2 lead should be placed at the:	fourth intercostal space, left sternal border.
What kind of impulse causes atrial dysrhythmias?	Ectopic
Which of the following procedures is considered invasive?	Chemical stress test
A standard 12-lead ECG focuses directly on which portion of the heart?	Left ventricle
Which rhythm occurs when the atria quiver like a bowl of Jell-O?	Atrial fibrillation
Which of the following is an advantage of using dot matrix paper instead of the standard grid paper?	Dot matrix paper produces sharper photocopies than standard grid paper.
After you have prepared the ECG machine and attached the electrodes and leads to the patient, what is the next thing you do if you are using an automatic ECG machine?	Press the Run or Auto button on the ECG machine.
Which of the following is most important to perform prior to performing an ECG?	Explain to the patient what you are going to do before you do it
What does the term "retrograde" mean?	Backward
If the patient asks questions after you have explained the ECG procedure, you should:	repeat the instructions and clarify any questions the patient has.
Which anatomical landmark starts in the middle of the axilla and runs down the side of the chest?	Midaxillary line
The ability of the heart muscle cells to shorten in response to an electrical impulse is known as:	contractility.
What symptoms would a patient in asystole exhibit?	Unconsciousness and apnea
In which type of heart block are all of the impulses eventually conducted to the ventricles?	First-degree AV block
Which term indicates the mark on an ECG tracing that represents the stimulation of electrical current from the pacemaker generator?	Pacing spike
When applying chest leads, you will place the V4 lead:	at the fifth ICS, left midclavicular line.
In junctional rhythms, where does the electrical current initiate?	AV junction
Systemic circulation is the movement of blood:	throughout the body tissues.
You are preparing to perform a 12-lead ECG on a 7-year-old child. When communicating with this patient, you should:	avoid using technical words.
Which of the following is not assessed during exercise electrocardiography?	Blood glucose level
How is a right bundle branch block (RBBB) distinguished from a left bundle branch block (LBBB)?	Monitor lead V1. If the majority of the ventricular depolarization is positively deflected, it is RBBB; if the QRS is negative, it is LBBB
Which sinus rhythm has a rate of more than 100 beats per minute?	Sinus tachycardia
The ability of the heart muscle cells to respond to an impulse or stimulus is known as:	excitability.
Which of the following statements best describes an atrioventricular pacemaker?	It mimics the normal cardiac conduction system and allows the atria to contract completely before the ventricles to allow for an atrial kick.
In junctional rhythms, where does the electrical current initiate?	AV junction
What is the normal, inherent rate of the AV node?	40 to 60 bpm
If the electronic pacemaker is set to 72 bpm and the AV node is firing at 58 bpm, what is the patient’s heart rate?	72 bpm
The valve located between the right atrium and right ventricle is the:	tricuspid valve.
What is the major health risk for patients with atrial fibrillation?	Thrombus formation or embolism
The heart is divided into four chambers. The top chambers are the:	right atrium and left atrium.
The Einthoven triangle is formed by the following three limb leads:	right arm, left arm, left leg.
What is the normal, inherent rate of the AV node?	40 to 60 bpm
When caring for patients and recording an ECG, you may encounter many situations that require you to:	think critically about the situation.
In a right bundle branch block (RBBB), how does the QRS appear?	Positively deflected
What is another term for loss of consciousness (fainting)?	Syncope
On an ECG tracing, the period of time from the start of ventricular depolarization to the end of ventricular repolarization is the:	QT interval.
Which portion of the ECG tracing is primarily affected by atrial dysrhythmias?	P waves
When applying the chest leads, you will place the V6 lead:	in line with V4 on the midaxillary line.
The valve located between the right atrium and right ventricle is the:	tricuspid valve.
Which of the following terms describes what happens when a pacemaker does not detect any cardiac electrical activity and never turns off?	Undersensing
The gain control is normally set at:	10 mm/mV.
A condition in which the patient loses consciousness or faints is known as:	syncope.
Which heart block rhythm has a constant PR interval that measures greater than 0.20 seconds?	First-degree AV block
The straight, horizontal line on an electrocardiogram that occurs when the tracing is at zero and no deflections are occurring is called the:	isoelectric line.
The ECG graph paper represents time horizontally and voltage vertically. What time and voltage are represented by one large box?	0.20 second and 0.5 mV
What is the inherent rate of the Purkinje network?	20 to 40 bpm
Oxygenated blood travels through the heart via the	coronary arteries.
What does the term "Code Blue" mean when used in a hospital setting?	A patient is unresponsive and needs immediate assistance.
Sinus tachycardia may be a normal finding in people as a result of:	exercise.
What is a QS complex?	A deep Q/S wave with no preceding R wave
Which of the following statements best describes an atrioventricular pacemaker?	It mimics the normal cardiac conduction system and allows the atria to contract completely before the ventricles to allow for an atrial kick.
What is the function of the tunica media?	Dilate and constrict to maintain homeostasis
What is the ventricular rate in asystole?	0 (the heart is not beating)
A "stat" ECG is done:	immediately.
Which of the following are common symptoms of low cardiac output?	Shortness of breath, hypotension
Which ventricular dysrhythmia has a heart rate less than 20 bpm?	Agonal rhythm
The part of the autonomic nervous system that helps slow the heart rate is the:	parasympathetic branch.
The conduction of the electrical impulse through both ventricles appears on an ECG tracing as the:	S wave.
Which of the following originates from the AV junction?	Junctional escape rhythm
What happens when one or both of the ventricular pathways are not functioning properly due to damage or a delay from cardiac disease, drugs, or other conditions?	A bundle branch block occurs
The valve located between the left atrium and left ventricle is the:	mitral (bicuspid) valve.
The ST segment represents	the time between ventricular depolarization and the beginning of ventricular repolarization.
Where are the ventricular pacemaker cells found?	At the Purkinje fibers
If a patient is experiencing hypotension, lightheadedness, blackouts, and bradycardia, what pacemaker complication may be occurring?	Malfunctioning
You have an order to perform an ECG on a 76-year-old woman. You knock on the door to her hospital room, introduce yourself, and explain that you are going to perform an ECG. You explain the procedure, but the woman refuses to allow you to do the ECG. What	"Will you tell me why you don't wish to have an ECG done?"
When placing the chest electrodes on a female with large breasts, you must:	lift the breast and place the electrodes in the closest position possible.
What are the first vessels to branch off the aorta?	Coronary arteries
The single most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of infection while performing ECGs is to:	perform proper hand hygiene.
What factor on an AV pacemaker tracing is similar to the measurement of the PR interval on a normal rhythm tracing?	AV delay
Electrical impulses are spread throughout the ventricles by the:	Purkinje network.
The valves located in the heart are important because they:	prevent blood from flowing backwards.
The gain control is normally set at:	10 mm/mV.
In which heart block dysrhythmia would a patient probably be unconscious and require immediate medical intervention?	Third-degree AV block
A condition in which no rhythm or electrical current travels through the cardiac conduction system is known as:	asystole.
Blood returns to the heart via the veins. The largest vein is the:	vena cava.
Your employer requires you to check patient vital signs before performing an ECG. Today, you find that a patient's blood pressure is 90/40. The patient looks pale and complains of dizziness. Based on these signs and symptoms, you might suspect that the pt	has a low cardiac output.
How is ventricular fibrillation is typically described?	Chaotic rhythm
What is the difference between ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation?	Ventricular tachycardia has three or more PVCs and a heart rate greater than 100 bpm; ventricular fibrillation is chaotic electrical activity with only fibrillatory waves.
When properly positioning the chest lead electrodes, you should make sure that the electrode is placed on the _____ of the rib cage.	intercostal space
On what basic principle do electronic pacemakers work?	The fastest pacemaker, whether inherent or artificial (electronic), controls the heartbeat.
A bundle branch block has which of the following characteristics?	It occurs when the bundle branches fail to conduct impulses.
Approach the patient from the patient's _____ if possible when performing an ECG.	left side
The term bradycardia means:	slow heart rate.
When applying the chest leads, you will place the V6 lead:	in line with V4 on the midaxillary line.
You are about to record an ECG on a patient who has Parkinson's disease. What measures can you take to prevent somatic tremors from being recorded on the ECG recording?	Have the patient put his or her hands, palms down, under the buttocks.
The PR interval can be measured only if the P wave occurs _____ the QRS complex.	Before
Together, the contraction and relaxation of the heart make up:	the cardiac cycle.
If the ECG was ordered stat, what must be done with the results?	Give the results directly and immediately to the physician.
The outermost layer of the heart is the:	epicardium.
When is a ventricular pacemaker used alone?	When conduction in the ventricles is not working properly, so the ventricles must be stimulated to contract
A sudden loss of blood supply and oxygen to a region of heart tissue is known as:	ischemia.
Which sinus rhythm has a rate of less than 60 beats per minute?	Sinus bradycardia
The time from the beginning of atrial depolarization to the beginning of ventricular depolarization is shown on the ECG waveform as the:	PR interval.
An interval on an ECG tracing is:	the period of time between two activities within the heart.
Which of the following problems can cause wandering baseline on the ECG tracing?	Improperly applied electrodes or poor skin preparation
Which of the following is an instrument that records the electrical activity of the heart during a patient's normal daily activities?	Ambulatory monitor
The heart's own ability to initiate an electrical impulse without being stimulated by another source is known as:	automaticity.
The average heart is approximately what size?	The size of your fist
The patient has a cast on his lower left leg. The limb electrode placement should be:	at equal levels on the thighs.
When is a ventricular pacemaker used alone?	When conduction in the ventricles is not working properly, so the ventricles must be stimulated to contract
The amount of blood the heart pumps each minute is known as the:	cardiac output.
When estimating the heart rate with the 6-second method, you locate 6 seconds on a rhythm strip, count the number of complexes, and multiply by:	10.
What is the rate of a normal sinus rhythm?	60 to 100 bpm
The QRS complex represents the time it takes for:	the ventricles to depolarize or contract.
The most commonly used paper speed on the ECG machine is:	25 mm/sec.
Which of the following is a single early electrical impulse that originates in the AV junction, occurring before the next expected sinus impulse and causing an irregularity in the rhythm?	PJC
What device enables lay rescuers to help a patient with sudden cardiac arrest?	Automatic external defibrillator (AED)
On what basic principle do electronic pacemakers work?	The fastest pacemaker, whether inherent or artificial (electronic), controls the heartbeat.
In which pacemaker complication does the tracing show a pacing spike but no waveform immediately after it?	Loss of capture
The primary pacemaker of a normal heart, where the electrical impulse for the heartbeat originates, is the:	SA node.
When the sympathetic branch of the ANS (automatic nervous system) is stimulated, the heart responds by:	speeding up.
What is the inherent rate of the Purkinje network?	20 to 40 bpm
As a health care professional, your responsibilities with the ambulatory monitor include which of the following?	Applying and removing the monitor
Which of the following is an ectopic impulse that occurs early in the cycle and originates from the ventricles?	PVC
In a left bundle branch block (LBBB), how does the QRS appear?	Negatively deflected
The term tachycardia means:	fast heart rate.
The U wave, which follows the T wave in an ECG tracing, represents:	repolarization of the Purkinje fibers and the bundle of His.
What is the heart's response to stimulation of the vagus nerve?	It slows down.
For infants and small children, where may you have to place lead V3 to prevent crowding of the chest electrodes?	On the right side of the chest
Cardiac dysrhythmias are:	abnormal heartbeats.
One out of every ___ American adults has some form of coronary artery disease.	three
The normal PR interval measurement is:	0.12 to 0.20 second.
Oversensing means:	The pacemaker perceives electrical current from sources other than the heart.
If a patient has breast implants, what modification may be necessary when you place the chest electrodes?	Place V1 and V2 a little higher on the chest.
Unwanted marks on an ECG tracing that are not related to the heart's electrical activity are known as:	artifact.
What is the term for ventricular rhythms that originate in the Purkinje network?	Ventricular escape rhythms
Sinus tachycardia is considered serious or life-threatening in patients who have had a recent:	myocardial infarction.
The normal range for the QRS complex duration is:	0.06 to 0.10 second.
The condition in which stimulation of the vagus nerve causes changes in heart rate is known as:	vagal tone.
When is an atrial pacemaker used alone?	When the conduction system from the AV node through the ventricles is intact and functioning
Which device recognizes an abnormal rhythm and can deliver an electric shock to the heart if necessary?	AED
Junctional rhythms occur because the electrical impulse comes from the AV junction instead of the ________.	SA node
The average volume of blood pumped each minute in a normal heart is:	5 liters per minute.
The term for an abnormal heartbeat is:	dysrhythmia.
Which atrial dysrhythmia has capital F waves and a classic sawtooth or picket fence appearance?	Atrial flutter
You are preparing to perform an ECG on a young woman when she tells you that she just had her blood tested and her blood potassium level is very low. What might you expect to see on the ECG tracing as a result of this?	The heart rate will be slow.
What symptom do patients with sinus tachycardia often complain of?	Palpitations
Unwanted marks on an ECG tracing that are not related to the heart's electrical activity are known as:	artifact.
You have run a 12-lead ECG on Mrs. Simmons. In lead V1, you notice that the QRS is positive and has a “bunny ears” appearance. What does Mrs. Simmons most likely have?	Right bundle branch block
The abbreviation CAD stands for:	coronary artery disease.
Which of the following may be a cause of somatic tremor?	Shivering from being cold.
Which type of electrode is most commonly used to perform an ECG?	Disposable
When the paper speed is 25 mm/sec, how many boxes are present in a 1-minute recording?	300 boxes per minute
You are about to record an ECG on a patient who has Parkinson's disease. What measures can you take to prevent somatic tremors from being recorded on the ECG recording?	Have the patient put his or her hands, palms down, under the buttocks.
Which atrial dysrhythmia has a cardiac complex that occurs too soon and may have abnormal P waves, but other than being ''early,'' has no other abnormal features?	Premature atrial complexes (PAC)
Which method is the only one to be used for irregular rhythms?	6-second method
A patient with sinus bradycardia may require what type of treatment?	Medication or a pacemaker
What is the condition in which impulses generated in the atria are delayed because of damage in the ventricular electrical pathways?	Bundle branch block
The P wave represents:	atrial contraction.
You have an order to perform an ECG on a 76-year-old woman. You knock on the door to her hospital room, introduce yourself, and explain that you are going to perform an ECG. You explain the procedure, but the woman refuses to allow you to do the ECG. pt	"Will you tell me why you don't wish to have an ECG done?"
What is the outermost layer of a blood vessel called?	Tunica adventitia
While preparing to perform an ECG on a 15-year-old girl, you pull the curtain around her hospital bed. The patient becomes agitated and asks why you closed the curtain. What should you tell her?	You are providing privacy for the patient.
What is the middle layer of a blood vessel called?	Tunica media
What symptoms will a patient have if PJCs occur more than four to six times per minute?	Hypotension, irregular pulse
In which dysrhythmia do the P-P and R-R intervals progressively widen, and then narrow, following the patient's breathing pattern?	Sinus dysrhythmia
Junctional rhythms occur because the electrical impulse comes from the AV junction instead of the ________.	SA node
The QRS complex on an ECG tracing represents:	ventricular depolarization and contraction.
Which of the following is not considered a bipolar lead?	aVR
The first electrocardiograph was invented by:	Willem Einthoven.
You are working in an outpatient facility that performs ECGs by appointment. You go to the lobby to call your next patient. The patient gets up and comes with you, but you notice that he is out of breath. When you ask, he tells you that he works only	two blocks away, but he was held up at the office and had to run in order to make his appointment time. Which of the following is your best course of action? Explain that you need to wait for his vital signs to return to normal before running the ECG.
In which ventricular dysrhythmia do the ventricle walls quiver, preventing any movement of blood out of the ventricles and resulting in no cardiac output?	Ventricular fibrillation
Placing lead V3 on the right side of the chest is known as:	V3R.
What must occur if sinus arrest exceeds 6 seconds?	Medical emergency procedures must be initiated.
In which pacemaker complication does the pacemaker perceive electrical current from sources other than the heart?	Oversensing
Which pacemaker rhythm has a pacing spike both before the P waves and before the QRS complexes?	Atrioventricular pacemaker
If a patient is experiencing hypotension, lightheadedness, blackouts, and bradycardia, what pacemaker complication may be occurring?	Malfunctioning
What atrial dysrhythmia has lowercase "f" waves, chaotic atrial electrical activity, and irregular R-R intervals?	Atrial fibrillation
Which of the following serves as the pacemaker in a normal heart?	SA node
The innermost layer of the heart is the:	endocardium.
Which of the following is characteristic of an ECG tracing for a first-degree heart block?	The PR intervals are greater than 0.20 seconds in duration.
What measurement on the ECG tracing represents how long it takes for the current to travel through the ventricular myocardial tissue?	QRS duration
Often it is difficult to read the ECG tracing if a patient's heart rate is fast. Where should you set the speed control to be able to interpret the ECG tracing more easily?	50 mm/sec
The most commonly used paper speed on the ECG machine is:	25 mm/sec.
You should place the limb electrodes before the chest electrodes because:	the ECG will not run at all without the limb leads attached.
Which heart block dysrhythmia is known as complete heart block (CHB)?	Third-degree AV block
Which leads view the inferior wall of the left ventricle?	II, III, and aVF
QRS complexes that measure 0.12 seconds or greater and have a heart rate between 20 and 40 bpm indicate that the impulses causing ventricular depolarization are coming from the ______.	Purkinje fibers
What is it called when more than six PVCs occur per minute?	Frequent PVCs
The use of an alcohol-based hand rub for hand hygiene is appropriate:	when there is no visible soilage on your hands.
The ability of the heart cells to receive and transmit an electrical impulse is known as:	conductivity.
In first-degree heart block, the electrical current is delayed or blocked along normal conduction pathways _______.	At or above the AV junction
When properly positioning the chest lead electrodes, you should make sure that the electrode is placed on the _____ of the rib cage.	intercostal space
Continuous ECG monitoring done in a hospital setting with a small transmitter box is known as:	telemetry monitoring.
What is the difference between accelerated junctional rhythm and junctional escape rhythm?	Heart rate
The term tachycardia means:	fast heart rate.
The function of the bundle branches is to:	conduct electrical impulses from the AV node to the left and right ventricles.
Which rhythm shows an irregularity during inspiration and expiration?	Sinus dysrhythmia
What is recorded on the ECG strip?	The electrical activity of the heart
For the proper placement of V3, you must have placed which other two leads on the patient's chest?	V2 and V4
The volume of blood ejected with each contraction is referred to as the:	stroke volume.
Which of the following is not a type of lead used in a 12-lead ECG?	Abdomen
What does exercise electrocardiography evaluate?	How the heart and blood vessels respond to physical activity
The rapid change in polarization that occurs when the electrical charge is reversed across the cell membrane so that the inside of each cell is positively charged is referred to as:	action potential.
What is the term for fast, irregular heartbeat sensations felt by the patient, which may or may not be associated with complaints of chest pain?	Palpitations
In which pacemaker complication does the tracing show a pacing spike but no waveform immediately after it?	Loss of capture
When applying chest leads, you will place the V4 lead:	at the fifth ICS, left midclavicular line.
The force at which blood is pumped against the walls of the arteries is a person's:	blood pressure.
What is the term for an ectopic focus originating above the ventricles in the atria or junctional region?	Supraventricular
A cardiac cell or group of cells that produces an ectopic beat is known as a:	focus.
What is the term for a procedure that does not require entrance into a body cavity, tissue, or blood vessel?	Noninvasive procedure
Which atrial dysrhythmia has capital F waves and a classic sawtooth or picket fence appearance?	Atrial flutter
The SA node sends electrical impulses at a rate of:	60 to 100 bpm.
A patient has an accelerated junctional rhythm. When you record the ECG, the tracing shows that the P waves follow the QRS complexes and that the distance from each P wave to the next R wave is 0.6 seconds. What is the PR interval?	The interval cannot be determined.
For which of the following patients might a physician order a right-side 12-lead ECG?	A patient with dextrocardia
The valve located between the left atrium and left ventricle is the:	mitral (bicuspid) valve.
A condition in which no rhythm or electrical current travels through the cardiac conduction system is known as:	asystole.
While preparing to perform an ECG on a 15-year-old girl, you pull the curtain around her hospital bed. The patient becomes agitated and asks why you closed the curtain. What should you tell her?	You are providing privacy for the patient.
What causes a heart block dysrhythmia?	The electrical current has difficulty traveling down the normal conduction pathway.
Which of the following terms describes electrical impulses that originate in the atria and initiate an early impulse that interrupts the inherent regular rhythm?	Premature atrial complexes (PACs)
Which heart rate method is the most accurate with regular rhythms?	1500 method
The T wave represents:	ventricular relaxation.
What pacemaker complication occurs when the pacemaker does not sense the patient’s inherent cardiac electrical activity?	Malsensing
What is the middle layer of a blood vessel called?	Tunica media
Blood that leaves the right ventricle is considered:	deoxygenated.
If you attempt to record an ECG and no tracing appears, what should you do?	Recheck the lead wires to make sure they are placed correctly.
Which of the following signs and symptoms are characteristic of every patient experiencing ventricular fibrillation?	Unconsciousness, apnea, and no pulse
For the proper placement of V3, you must have placed which other two leads on the patient's chest?	V2 and V4
Where are the ventricular pacemaker cells found?	At the Purkinje fibers
If ectopic impulses are occurring in the heart at a rate that is faster than the SA node,	the ectopic beat overrides the SA node and causes the atria and ventricles to depolarize.
The term bradycardia means:	slow heart rate.
QRS complexes that measure 0.12 seconds or greater and a heart rate between 20 and 40 bpm indicate that the impulses causing ventricular depolarization are coming from which location?	Purkinje fibers
Which rib is located next to the angle of Louis?	Second rib
Cardiac dysrhythmias are:	abnormal heartbeats.
Pacemaker generators use what type of batteries to create the electrical impulses?	Lithium
Which heart block dysrhythmia is known as complete heart block (CHB)?	Third-degree AV block
In first-degree heart block, the electrical current is delayed or blocked along normal conduction pathways _______.	At or above the AV junction
Which of the following is most important to perform prior to performing an ECG?	Explain to the patient what you are going to do before you do it
You are performing a 12-lead ECG on a hospital patient using a portable ECG machine on a cart. As you are conducting the ECG, a red line appears at the bottom of the ECG graph paper. What should you do?	Continue the ECG, but remember to replace the paper before performing the next ECG.
What causes a heart block dysrhythmia?	The electrical current has difficulty traveling down the normal conduction pathway.
Which leads view the septal wall?	V1 and V2
Which of the following statements about bundle branch block is true?	Any sinus, atrial, or junctional rhythm can be affected by bundle branch block.
What is the patient’s own heart rhythm called?	Inherent rhythm
QRS duration measurement is essential to determine the time it takes for:	ventricular depolarization.
Which pacemaker rhythm does not have a pacing spike before P waves?	Ventricular pacemaker rhythm
In which pacemaker complication does the pacemaker perceive electrical current from sources other than the heart?	Oversensing
To obtain a 12-lead ECG tracing, you must apply how many lead wires and electrodes to the patient?	10
Unipolar leads include all the lead types except:	standard leads.
An accident victim is being treated in the emergency department. A friend who was present at the time of the accident is in the patient's cubicle when the patient’s ECG monitor sounds an alarm and shows a flat-line pattern. The patient’s friend becomes	frantic. What should you do? Calmly escort the patient's friend out of the immediate area.
The abbreviation for myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack, is:	MI.
The normal range for the QRS complex duration is:	0.06 to 0.10 second.
The AV node has several important functions that help the heart work effectively. Which of the following is not a function of the AV node?	It causes a loss of atrial kick.
When the paper speed is 25 mm/sec, how many boxes are present in a 1-minute recording?	300 boxes per minute
Which of the following problems can cause wandering baseline on the ECG tracing?	Improperly applied electrodes or poor skin preparation
The abbreviation CAD stands for:	coronary artery disease.
Depolarization of the cells causes the heart muscle to:	contract.
Identify a rhythm using these criteria: regular rhythm, ventricular and atrial rates are 74 beats/minute, P wave precedes each QRS, PR interval and QRS duration within normal limits.	Normal sinus rhythm
Which leads view the lateral wall of the left ventricle?	I, aVL, V5, and V6
A bundle branch block must be considered when the QRS complex measures what length?	0.12 seconds or greater
The V1 lead should be placed at the:	fourth intercostal space, right sternal border.
What is the number one cause of death in the United States?	Cardiovascular disease
Each little box on the ECG paper horizontally represents:	0.04 second.
The single most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of infection while performing ECGs is to:	perform proper hand hygiene.
Which atrial dysrhythmia has a cardiac complex that occurs too soon and may have abnormal P waves, but other than being ''early,'' has no other abnormal features?	Premature atrial complexes (PAC)
AV pacing is similar to what characteristic of the heart?	Normal conduction pathway
In which ventricular dysrhythmia do three or more PVCs occur in a row with a ventricular rate greater than 100 bpm?	Ventricular tachycardia
When placing the chest electrodes on a female with large breasts, you must:	lift the breast and place the electrodes in the closest position possible.
An electrocardiograph is a(n):	instrument used to record a tracing of the heart's electrical activity.
Which heart block rhythm has a constant PR interval that measures greater than 0.20 seconds?	First-degree AV block
What is the term for ventricular rhythms that originate in the Purkinje network?	Ventricular escape rhythms
The _____ monitor allows the patient to participate in normal daily activities while the electrical activity of the heart is being recorded.	Holter
The two semilunar valves are the:	aortic and pulmonary valves.
If you attempt to record an ECG and no tracing appears, what should you do?	Recheck the lead wires to make sure they are placed correctly.
The innermost layer of the heart is the:	endocardium.
Which of the following are common symptoms of low cardiac output?	Shortness of breath, hypotension
What is the function of a pacemaker?	To stimulate the heart to contract
What pacemaker complication occurs when the pacemaker does not sense the patient’s inherent cardiac electrical activity?	Malsensing
The V2 lead should be placed at the:	fourth intercostal space, left sternal border.
Appearance of a QRS complex after a pacing spike indicates that what has occurred?	Ventricular capture
What does the electrocardiogram or ECG detect?	The electrical activity of the heart
A patient’s dysrhythmia originates from above the ventricles and you notice QRS complexes on the ECG tracing measuring 0.12 second or greater. What could be the cause of this abnormal morphology?	Bundle branch block
Lack of blood supply to an area of tissue due to a blockage in the circulation to that area is known as:	ischemia.
What factor on an AV pacemaker tracing is similar to the measurement of the PR interval on a normal rhythm tracing?	AV delay
What happens when one or both of the ventricular pathways are not functioning properly due to damage or a delay from cardiac disease, drugs, or other conditions?	A bundle branch block occurs
What is the term for an oppressive pain or pressure in the chest when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen due to partial or complete blockage of a coronary artery?	Angina
Which of the following is not a reason exercise electrocardiography is used?	To evaluate how the heart responds to electrical stimulation
The first thing that is needed to perform an ECG is:	a physician order for the test.
The leads that make up a 12-lead ECG consist of:	3 standard, 3 augmented, and 6 chest leads.
You should place the limb electrodes before the chest electrodes because:	the ECG will not run at all without the limb leads attached.
The function of the bundle branches is to:	conduct electrical impulses from the AV node to the left and right ventricles.
Which of the following patients is most likely to exhibit signs and symptoms of low cardiac output?	A 48-year-old male with a heart rate of 52, whose tracing shows frequent periods of sinus arrest lasting 2.5 seconds
Why might ambulatory monitoring be used in addition to 12-lead ECG monitoring?	The patient was complaining of palpitations but did not have any symptoms during the 12-lead ECG.
Which of the following is an ectopic impulse that occurs early in the cycle and originates from the ventricles?	PVC
The sac of tissue that encloses the entire heart is the:	pericardium.
Measuring the PR interval requires the ECG technician to measure from the:	beginning of the P wave to the beginning of the QRS complex.
What causes the inverted P wave morphology found with junctional rhythms?	Electrical impulses are coming from the AV node, causing atrial depolarization to flow retrogradely.
Which of the following statements about PVCs is true?	PVCs may be unifocal or multifocal in origin.
Cardiac dysrhythmias are:	abnormal heartbeats.
You observe a wide QRS complex in lead II. Which lead should you check to evaluate the location of the bundle branch block?	Lead V1
Which dysrhythmia occurs when the SA node stops firing, causing a pause in electrical activity?	Sinus arrest
In which heart block dysrhythmia are all electrical impulses originating above the ventricles blocked and prevented from reaching the ventricles?	Third-degree AV block
The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart is pumping blood out to the body, also known as the contraction phase, is:	systole.
Which ventricular dysrhythmia is sometimes referred to as "straight-line" or "flat-line"?	Asystole
Which of these patients would be a candidate for a chemical stress test?	A 68-year-old patient confined to bed after cardiac surgery
Which pacemaker rhythm has a pacing spike before the QRS complexes but no pacing spike before the P waves?	Ventricular pacemaker rhythm
You have begun performing an ECG on a patient, and the tracing appears as a flat line. What is the first thing you should do?	Remain calm and check the patient.
The normal PR interval measurement is:	0.12 to 0.20 second.
A cardiac cell or group of cells that produces an ectopic beat is known as a:	focus.
What is the rate of a normal sinus rhythm?	60 to 100 bpm

Created by: Jessi19

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