EKG and Cardiovascular Procedures Flashcards
6 cards from real NCMA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 EKG and Cardiovascular Procedures flashcards as text
When applying limb electrodes for a 12-lead EKG, where are the four limb electrodes placed?
Answer: On the right arm (RA), left arm (LA), right leg (RL), and left leg (LL) — on the inner wrists and inner ankles
Standard limb electrode placement: right arm (inner wrist area), left arm (inner wrist), right leg (inner ankle), left leg (inner ankle). The right leg electrode serves as the ground/neutral reference.
Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) on an EKG is characterized by which of the following findings?
Answer: Irregularly irregular rhythm with absent discrete P waves and an irregular baseline
Atrial fibrillation is characterized by: absent distinct P waves (replaced by chaotic fibrillatory baseline), irregularly irregular ventricular response (QRS complexes occur at unpredictable intervals), and normal QRS morphology (unless aberrant conduction exists).
During an EKG procedure, you notice the tracing shows a 60-cycle interference pattern (thick fuzzy baseline). What is the most likely cause and solution?
Answer: AC (alternating current) electrical interference; check for loose electrodes, ensure patient is not touching metal, and unplug nearby electrical devices
60-cycle (60 Hz) AC interference appears as a thick, fuzzy, regular oscillation on the baseline. It is caused by electromagnetic interference from nearby electrical sources, loose electrodes, or broken lead wires. Solutions include checking electrode contact, removing electrical devices, and ensuring the patient's limbs are not touching metal.
What does the ST segment on an EKG represent, and why is ST elevation clinically significant?
Answer: Early ventricular repolarization; ST elevation indicates acute myocardial injury or infarction
The ST segment represents early ventricular repolarization — the period between the end of ventricular depolarization (QRS) and ventricular repolarization (T wave). ST elevation in two or more contiguous leads indicates acute myocardial injury and is the hallmark of STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction).
Which of the following is a contraindication for a cardiac stress test?
Answer: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) within the past 2 days
An acute myocardial infarction (within 2–4 days) is an absolute contraindication to cardiac stress testing because the patient's heart is still acutely injured and further physical stress could cause life-threatening complications.
A Holter monitor records cardiac activity over 24–48 hours. What is it primarily used for?
Answer: Detecting intermittent arrhythmias and correlating cardiac symptoms with ECG findings over an extended period
A Holter monitor is a continuous ambulatory ECG recorder worn by the patient for 24–48 hours (or longer with event monitors). Its primary purpose is to detect arrhythmias or ECG changes that occur intermittently and may not be present during a routine in-office EKG.