Free Cardiac Subspecialty Certification Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Mason Likar modification is what?
- A different arrangement for placing electrodes in a 12-lead EKG (Correct answer)
- A way to add resistance to certain exercises without physically increasing the weight of the dumbbell or apparatus
- An adjustment made during metabolic formula used to account for errors due to obesity
- An alteration to the formula determining gross oxygen consumption for clients with asthma
Correct answer: A different arrangement for placing electrodes in a 12-lead EKG
The Mason-Likar modification is a specific technique used in electrocardiography, particularly during exercise stress tests. It involves repositioning the limb electrodes from the standard distal limb placement to the torso, which helps reduce motion artifact and improve signal quality during physical activity.
Question 2: An ST depression accompanied by strong U waves and flattened T waves results from what electrolyte abnormality?
- Hypocalcemia
- Hypercalcemia
- Hyperkalemia
- Hypokalemia (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia, or low potassium levels, is a common cause of specific EKG changes. These changes typically include ST segment depression, prominent U waves (a small wave following the T wave), and flattening or inversion of the T waves, reflecting altered myocardial repolarization due to the electrolyte imbalance.
Question 3: Which of the following is used to evaluate the calcium in coronary arteries?
- Radionuclide scintigraphy
- Electron beam computed tomography (Correct answer)
- Radionuclide ventriculography
- Single photon emission computed tomography
Correct answer: Electron beam computed tomography
Electron Beam Computed Tomography (EBCT), also known as ultrafast CT, is a specialized imaging technique used to detect and quantify calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. The presence and amount of coronary artery calcium (CAC) are strong indicators of atherosclerotic plaque burden and cardiovascular risk.
Question 4: What is the method where a balloon is used to flatten plaque up against an arterial wall to provide more room inside the artery for better blood flow?
- Laser Angioplasty
- Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABGS)
- Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) (Correct answer)
- Atherectomy
Correct answer: Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)
Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), often simply called angioplasty, is a minimally invasive procedure used to widen narrowed or obstructed blood vessels. A balloon-tipped catheter is inserted and inflated at the site of the plaque, compressing it against the arterial wall to restore adequate blood flow.
Question 5: What does the Holter EKG monitoring test function entail?
- Tracks abnormalities on EKG as they occur throughout the day (Correct answer)
- Monitors blood glucose level throughout the day
- Radioactive dye is injected to show abnormalities in the EKG
- Measures the vasodilation of the major vessels of the heart and shows them on the EKG
Correct answer: Tracks abnormalities on EKG as they occur throughout the day
A Holter monitor is a portable device that continuously records the heart's electrical activity (EKG) for 24 to 48 hours, or sometimes longer. This extended monitoring helps detect intermittent arrhythmias or other EKG abnormalities that might not be captured during a brief, standard EKG in a clinic setting.
Question 6: The horizontal squares on an EKG measure what?
- R wave
- Duration (Correct answer)
- Voltage
- Q wave
Correct answer: Duration
On an EKG tracing, the horizontal axis represents time, and each small square typically corresponds to 0.04 seconds. Therefore, counting the number of horizontal squares allows for the precise measurement of the duration of various cardiac intervals and waves, such as the PR interval or QRS duration.
Question 7: Which of the following statements about a T wave is true?
- Prominent peaks may indicate myocardial infarction or hyperkalemia (Correct answer)
- Is normally perfectly symmetrical
- Frequently hard to detect in a normal EKG
- Suggests ischemia if inverted
Correct answer: Prominent peaks may indicate myocardial infarction or hyperkalemia
The T wave on an EKG represents ventricular repolarization. Tall, peaked T waves, often referred to as hyperacute T waves, can be an early indicator of acute myocardial ischemia, which precedes ST elevation in a myocardial infarction. They are also a classic sign of hyperkalemia, a dangerous electrolyte imbalance that affects cardiac electrical activity.
Free Cardiac Subspecialty Certification Questions and Answers
The Mason Likar modification is what?