Free Cardiographic Technician Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following ions contributes most to the depolarizing current in pacemaker cells?
- Calcium (Correct answer)
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Sodium
Correct answer: Calcium
In cardiac pacemaker cells, relatively sluggish, inward calcium currents are principally responsible for carrying the depolarizing current. Fast sodium currents cause the depolarization in the majority of other depolarizing cells, including muscle cells. Cellular repolarization is aided by potassium.
Question 2: Which of the following frequently reduces the utility of Holter monitoring as a diagnostic tool?
- Transmission of data depends on patient participation
- Patient noncompliance with keeping track of events (Correct answer)
- Lack of continuous monitoring
- Small capacity of recording devices
Correct answer: Patient noncompliance with keeping track of events
The diagnostic utility of Holter monitoring is severely constrained by patient noncompliance with using event markers and keeping a diary of their symptoms. In order to correlate occurrences with the data gathered, it is crucial for patients to note and document their symptoms. A form of continuous monitoring known as holter monitoring has advantages such as the ability to transmit data without the involvement of the patient and the vast storage capacity of the recording devices.
Question 3: Which of the following heart conditions is brought on by the parasympathetic nervous system's actions?
- Greater force of contraction
- Decreased diastolic filling time
- Decreased rate of SA node pacing (Correct answer)
- Increased rate of conduction
Correct answer: Decreased rate of SA node pacing
The cardiac inhibitory effects of the parasympathetic nervous system include decreased SA node pacing, decreased conduction, and lower contraction force. The sympathetic nervous system generates an increase in contraction force and rate of conduction. By stimulating the sympathetic nervous system, the heart would contract more quickly, which would shorten the diastolic filling time.
Question 4: What does the T wave on an ECG stand for?
- Ventricular repolarization (Correct answer)
- Atrial depolarization
- Ventricular depolarization
- Atrial repolarization
Correct answer: Ventricular repolarization
The ventricles start to repolarize right after the QRS. The faster and concluding portion of the repolarization is represented by the T wave. The P wave is a visual representation of atrial depolarization. The QRS complex symbolizes the depolarization of the ventricles. On the ECG, atrial repolarization is not visible.
Question 5: What advantages do thallium stress tests have over regular ECG stress tests?
- The test is simpler to perform
- More accurately identifies the specific areas of reduced blood flow in the heart (Correct answer)
- Is a safer test overall for the patient
- More quickly identifies areas of myocardial ischemia in the heart
Correct answer: More accurately identifies the specific areas of reduced blood flow in the heart
Nuclear stress tests, sometimes referred to as thallium stress tests, collect more detailed and precise data than straightforward ECG stress testing. When attempting to gauge the degree of coronary artery disease in a patient with a history of the condition, it is a useful test.
Question 6: The mitral valve has how many leaflets?
- Four
- Three
- Two (Correct answer)
- One
Correct answer: Two
The mitral valve has two leaflets, commonly referred to as cusps, and is a bicuspid valve. Between the left atrium and the left ventricle, it is situated. There are three leaflets on the tricuspid valve, which is situated between the right atrium and right ventricle. Three leaflets make up the pulmonic valve, which connects the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. The aortic valve typically has three leaflets and connects the left ventricle to the aorta.
Question 7: When calculating the height or depth of a wave from the baseline on an ECG, what is being measured?
- Resistance
- Power
- Current
- Voltage (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Voltage
Voltage is assessed by the amplitude of waves as seen from the baseline. Voltage, sometimes referred to as electrical potential difference, allows us to see how the heart repolarizes and depolarizes. These distances are calculated in millimeters.
Free Cardiographic Technician Questions and Answers
Which of the following ions contributes most to the depolarizing current in pacemaker cells?