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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

  1. What is the correct sequence of events in the cardiac conduction system?

    Answer: SA node → AV node → Bundle of His → Bundle branches → Purkinje fibers

    The normal cardiac conduction sequence is: SA node (natural pacemaker) → AV node (delays impulse 0.1 sec) → Bundle of His → Left and Right Bundle branches → Purkinje fibers (ventricular muscle activation).

  2. What does a wide QRS complex (>0.12 seconds) on an EKG indicate?

    Answer: Abnormal ventricular conduction, such as a bundle branch block or ventricular origin beat

    A wide QRS complex (>0.12 sec / >3 small squares) indicates abnormal ventricular conduction. Causes include right or left bundle branch block (abnormal conduction through ventricular conduction system) or beats of ventricular origin (PVCs, ventricular tachycardia).

  3. During a 12-lead EKG procedure, you discover that leads II, III, and aVF show inverted P waves and the EKG shows a rate of 55 bpm. What is the most likely explanation?

    Answer: Limb lead reversal — likely left arm and left leg electrodes are switched

    Inverted P waves in II, III, and aVF with otherwise normal findings are a classic sign of left arm/left leg electrode reversal (LA/LL swap). In lead reversal, the frontal plane leads are affected predictably, helping identify the specific misplacement.

  4. What is the purpose of the right leg (RL) electrode in a 12-lead EKG, and which leads does it influence?

    Answer: It serves as the ground/reference electrode; it does not contribute to any of the 12 recorded leads

    The right leg (RL) electrode is the ground/neutral reference electrode in the EKG circuit. It does not contribute electrical signal to any of the 12 leads; its function is to reduce electrical interference and stabilize the recording by providing a reference point.

  5. A patient experiences sudden onset chest pain radiating to the left arm while in the medical office. After calling for the physician, the medical assistant prepares to perform an EKG. What ELSE should be prepared immediately?

    Answer: Activate emergency protocols: call 911, prepare AED, obtain oxygen and nitroglycerin (per standing orders), ensure IV access can be established

    Sudden chest pain with left arm radiation is a classic presentation of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Beyond the EKG, the medical assistant must activate emergency protocols: call 911, make the AED immediately available, administer oxygen per protocol, assist with nitroglycerin if ordered and BP is adequate, and prepare the crash cart.

  6. What does the term 'cardiac output' mean, and which two factors determine it?

    Answer: The volume of blood ejected by the heart per minute; determined by heart rate multiplied by stroke volume

    Cardiac output (CO) is the total volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute. CO = Heart Rate (HR) × Stroke Volume (SV). Normal cardiac output is approximately 4–8 L/min at rest.