EKG Interpretation in Patient Assessment: Master EKG Analysis for Medical Assistants

Question 1

Which of the following is the correct sequence of electrical conduction pathways in the heart?

Accepted Answer

SA node -> AV node -> Bundle of His -> Purkinje fibers

Answer

AV node -> SA node -> Bundle of His -> Purkinje fibers

Answer

Bundle of His -> SA node -> AV node -> Purkinje fibers

Question 2

What is the EKG waveform that represents atrial depolarization?

Accepted Answer

P wave

Answer

QRS complex

Answer

T wave

Question 3

What is the potential indication of ST-segment elevation on an EKG?

Accepted Answer

Myocardial ischemia or injury

Answer

Normal heart function

Answer

Electrolyte imbalance

Question 4

Which maneuver is commonly used to identify vagus nerve stimulation?

Accepted Answer

Carotid sinus massage

Answer

Valsalva maneuver

Answer

Diving reflex

Question 5

What is the initial treatment approach for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)?

Accepted Answer

Vagal maneuvers

Answer

Antiarrhythmic medications

Answer

Cardioversion

Question 6

Which of the following is a contraindication for using an automated external defibrillator (AED)?

Accepted Answer

Patient with a pacemaker

Answer

Unconscious patient

Answer

Patient who is not breathing

Question 7

What is the most precise definition of the PR interval?

Accepted Answer

The interval between the initiation of the P wave and the termination of the QRS complex

Answer

The interval between the onset of the QRS complex and the end of the T wave

Answer

The interval between the beginning of the Q wave and the onset of the R wave

Answer

The interval between the end of the T wave and the beginning of the next P wave

Question 8

Which arrhythmia is distinguished by a ventricular rate exceeding 100 beats per minute?

Accepted Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Supraventricular tachycardia

Question 9

Which diagnostic method is considered the gold standard for diagnosing myocardial infarction?

Accepted Answer

Coronary angiography

Answer

Echocardiogram

Answer

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

Answer

Electrocardiogram

Question 10

Which medication is commonly used in the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia?

Accepted Answer

Adenosine

Answer

Digoxin

Answer

Lidocaine

Answer

Amiodarone

Question 11

Which type of atrial arrhythmia is most prevalent?

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia

Answer

Persistent atrial tachycardia

Answer

Atrial flutter

Question 12

Identify the correct sequence of the EKG waveform components:

Accepted Answer

PQRST

Answer

PQST

Answer

QRSTP

Answer

PQRS

Question 13

Within which range does the PR interval typically fall?

Accepted Answer

0.03-0.40 seconds

Answer

0.12-0.20 seconds

Answer

0.04-0.18 seconds

Answer

0.10-0.28 seconds

Question 14

What is the clinical significance of ST segment depression in an EKG?

Accepted Answer

Myocardial ischemia

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Normal finding in healthy individuals

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Question 15

Which electrode placement records the electrical activity from the inferior aspect of the heart?

Accepted Answer

Lead III

Answer

Lead II

Answer

Lead V1

Answer

Lead V6

Question 16

Distinguish between a unifocal and multifocal atrial premature complex (APC):

Accepted Answer

Unifocal APC exhibits consistent P wave morphology, while multifocal APC shows varying P wave morphologies

Answer

Multifocal APC exhibits consistent P wave morphology, while unifocal APC shows varying P wave morphologies

Answer

Unifocal APC occurs in clusters, whereas multifocal APC occurs randomly

Answer

Multifocal APC occurs in clusters, whereas unifocal APC occurs randomly

Question 17

Which characteristic is typically found in ventricular tachycardia (VT)?

Accepted Answer

Broad QRS complex

Answer

Narrow QRS complex

Answer

Regular rhythm

Answer

Irregular rhythm

Question 18

Identify the most common cause of a prolonged QT interval:

Accepted Answer

Long QT syndrome

Answer

Hypokalemia

Answer

Hypothyroidism

Answer

Bradycardia

Question 19

In the management of acute inferior wall myocardial infarction (MI), which treatment approach is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Thrombolytic therapy and angioplasty

Answer

Aspirin and beta-blockers

Answer

Diuretics and ACE inhibitors

Answer

Antibiotics and rest

Question 20

Which section of the EKG does the QRS complex represent?

Accepted Answer

Ventricular depolarization

Answer

Atrial depolarization

Answer

Ventricular repolarization

Answer

Atrial repolarization

Question 21

An EKG displays a heart rate of 100 bpm with a stable rhythm. Which type of arrhythmia, if any, is this indicative of?

Accepted Answer

Sinus tachycardia

Answer

Ventricular fibrillation

Answer

Atrial flutter

Answer

Heart block

Question 22

What is the primary significance of the ST segment in an EKG?

Accepted Answer

Myocardial ischemia indication

Answer

Ventricular repolarization

Answer

PR interval calculation

Answer

It has no clinical significance

Question 23

What is the main objective of a 12-lead EKG?

Accepted Answer

Provide a comprehensive view of the heart's electrical activity

Answer

Precisely locate an arrhythmia

Answer

Detect electrolyte imbalances

Answer

Assess cardiac function

Question 24

Which arrhythmia is characterized by irregular and chaotic electrical activity?

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Supraventricular tachycardia

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Premature ventricular contractions

Question 25

What is the initial step in interpreting an EKG?

Accepted Answer

Rhythm identification

Answer

Heart rate measurement

Answer

Wave and segment analysis

Answer

Axis determination

Question 26

Which EKG finding is a specific indicator of myocardial ischemia?

Accepted Answer

Elevated ST segment

Answer

Depressed PR segment

Answer

Inverted T wave

Question 27

Which wave interval on an EKG represents the electrical depolarization of the ventricles?

Accepted Answer

QRS complex

Answer

PR interval

Answer

ST segment

Answer

T wave

Question 28

Which arrhythmia is characterized by an abnormally slow heart rate?

Accepted Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Ventricular fibrillation

Answer

Asystole

Question 29

Which EKG finding is characteristic of ventricular tachycardia?

Accepted Answer

Wide QRS complex

Answer

Narrow QRS complex

Answer

Regular RR interval

Answer

Inverted T waves

Question 30

What is the primary purpose of using an automatic external defibrillator (AED)?

Accepted Answer

Delivering electrical shocks to restore normal heart rhythm

Answer

Diagnosing cardiac arrhythmias

Answer

Monitoring vital signs

Answer

Administering medications

Question 31

Which diagnosis is most likely for a patient with an EKG displaying an extended PR interval and a narrow QRS complex?

Accepted Answer

First-degree atrioventricular block

Answer

Atrial flutter

Answer

Sick sinus syndrome

Question 32

How does EKG interpretation empower medical assistants to make critical decisions about patient transport in prehospital settings?

Accepted Answer

Identifying life-threatening arrhythmias requiring immediate intervention or higher-level transport

Answer

Determining if the patient can be safely discharged immediately

Answer

Ruling out non-cardiac causes of the patient's symptoms

Answer

Predicting long-term outcomes for patients

Question 33

A patient's EKG shows a heart rate of 150 bpm and a regular rhythm. Which type of rhythm is this?

Accepted Answer

Sinus tachycardia

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Question 34

What is the initial step in analyzing an EKG?

Accepted Answer

Determine the heart rate and rhythm

Answer

Measure the QT interval

Answer

Identify the PQRST complex

Question 35

Which medication can affect the EKG and cause QT prolongation?

Accepted Answer

Erythromycin

Answer

Aspirin

Question 36

What is the clinical significance of an inverted T wave in Lead II?

Accepted Answer

Inferior wall ischemia

Answer

Anterior wall ischemia

Answer

Left ventricular hypertrophy

Answer

Bundle branch block

Question 37

What does a hyperacute T wave indicate?

Accepted Answer

Impending myocardial infarction

Answer

History of myocardial infarction

Answer

High risk of arrhythmias

Answer

Benign finding

Question 38

Which interval on an EKG represents the duration from the onset of the QRS complex to the end of the T wave?

Accepted Answer

QT interval

Answer

PR interval

Answer

QRS complex

Answer

ST segment

Question 39

Which waveform pattern on an EKG is typically associated with atrial fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

Irregular P waves without a consistent P-QRS pattern

Answer

Premature atrial complexes (PACs) with extra P waves

Answer

Normal sinus rhythm with regular P waves and  QRS complexes

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia with wide QRS complexes

Question 40

A patient presents with chest pain and an EKG demonstrating ST segment depression in leads II, III, and aVF. Which of the following underlying cardiac conditions is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Inferior wall myocardial ischemia

Answer

Pericarditis

Answer

Anterior wall myocardial infarction

Answer

Left bundle branch block

Question 41

Which EKG lead provides a view of electrical activity primarily from the right ventricle?

Accepted Answer

Lead V1

Answer

Lead V3

Answer

Lead V4

Answer

Lead V2

Question 42

Which medication is known to prolong the QT interval on an EKG?

Accepted Answer

Amiodarone

Answer

Aspirin

Answer

Heparin

Answer

Ibuprofen

Question 43

When performing an EKG, which lead placement combination is used to assess electrical activity in the inferior wall of the heart?

Accepted Answer

Leads II, III, and aVF

Answer

Leads I, aVL, and aVR

Answer

Leads V4, V5, and V6

Answer

Leads V1, V2, and V3

Question 44

The absence of P waves on an EKG is generally indicative of which cardiac condition?

Accepted Answer

Complete heart block

Answer

Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs)

Answer

Atrial flutter

Answer

Sinus arrhythmia