Master Arrhythmia Recognition and Classification for EKG Interpretation

Question 1

The P-R interval on an ECG measures the time between:

Accepted Answer

Atrial depolarization and ventricular depolarization

Answer

Atrial depolarization and atrial repolarization

Answer

Ventricular depolarization and ventricular repolarization

Answer

Atrial repolarization and ventricular repolarization

Question 2

Which of the following is a supraventricular arrhythmia?

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Ventricular fibrillation

Answer

Complete heart block

Question 3

A patient with a heart rate of 60 bpm, regular P waves, and a QRS complex of 100 milliseconds is most likely experiencing:

Accepted Answer

Sinus rhythm

Answer

Atrial flutter

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Complete heart block

Question 4

The ST segment on an ECG typically represents:

Accepted Answer

Ventricular repolarization

Answer

Ventricular depolarization

Answer

Atrial repolarization

Answer

SA node conduction

Question 5

What is the typical P wave morphology in sinus bradycardia?

Accepted Answer

Upright and narrow

Answer

Inverted and narrow

Answer

Biphasic

Answer

Peaked and tall

Question 6

Which arrhythmia is characterized by a heart rate above 150 bpm with a regular rhythm?

Accepted Answer

Supraventricular tachycardia

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Ventricular fibrillation

Question 7

What is the primary cause of ventricular tachycardia (VT)?

Accepted Answer

Myocardial infarction

Answer

Electrolyte imbalance

Answer

Congenital heart disease

Answer

Drug toxicity

Question 8

What is the normal PR interval range in adults?

Accepted Answer

0.12-0.20 seconds

Answer

0.05-0.10 seconds

Answer

0.21-0.30 seconds

Answer

0.31-0.40 seconds

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of prolonged QT intervals?

Accepted Answer

Improved cardiac function

Answer

Increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias

Answer

Torsades de pointes

Answer

Sudden cardiac death

Question 10

What is the characteristic QRS complex morphology in bundle branch block?

Accepted Answer

Wide and slurred

Answer

Narrow and peaked

Answer

Inverted and biphasic

Answer

Normal

Question 11

What is the initial intervention for a patient experiencing ventricular fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

Defibrillation

Answer

CPR

Answer

Medication

Answer

Observation

Question 12

A wide QRS complex is a characteristic feature of which arrhythmia?

Accepted Answer

Ventricular tachycardia (VT)

Answer

Sinus tachycardia

Answer

Second-degree AV block

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Question 13

What is the typical heart rate range for sinus tachycardia in adults?

Accepted Answer

101-149 bpm

Answer

60-100 bpm

Answer

150-200 bpm

Answer

Over 200 bpm

Question 14

Which of the following arrhythmias is commonly caused by a blockage in the AV node?

Accepted Answer

Second-degree AV block

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Ventricular fibrillation

Answer

Premature ventricular contraction

Question 15

Which EKG finding is characteristic of a premature atrial contraction (PAC)?

Accepted Answer

Premature P wave followed by a normal QRS complex

Answer

Premature QRS complex without a preceding P wave

Answer

Wide QRS complex with a preceding P wave

Answer

Narrow QRS complex with no preceding P wave

Question 16

Which of the following terms describes an arrhythmia originating in the atrial chambers of the heart?

Accepted Answer

Supraventricular arrhythmia

Answer

Ventricular arrhythmia

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Tachycardia

Question 17

Identify the distinguishing feature of atrial flutter:

Accepted Answer

Sawtooth-shaped P waves

Answer

Prominent Delta waves

Answer

Broadened QRS complex

Answer

Absence of discernible P waves

Question 18

Identify the term for an irregular and unpredictable heart rhythm characterized by the absence of discernible P waves:

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Atrial flutter

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Junctional rhythm

Question 19

Which of the following medications is frequently used in the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia?

Accepted Answer

Digoxin

Answer

Amiodarone

Answer

Lidocaine

Answer

Atropine

Question 20

Which ECG findings suggest sinus tachycardia in a patient with a heart rate of 145 bpm?

Accepted Answer

Narrow, regular QRS complexes

Answer

Wide, irregular QRS complexes

Answer

Dropped QRS complexes

Answer

Prolonged PR interval

Question 21

Which type of arrhythmia is the most prevalent?

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Ventricular fibrillation

Question 22

What distinguishing characteristic is associated with supraventricular arrhythmias?

Accepted Answer

P wave presence before the QRS complex

Answer

Ventricular origin

Answer

Wide QRS complex

Answer

Slow ventricular rate

Question 23

Which electrocardiographic feature is characteristic of premature atrial contractions?

Accepted Answer

Absent P wave prior to QRS complex

Answer

QRS complex following a P wave

Answer

QRS complex exceeding 0.12 seconds in duration

Answer

Ventricular rate exceeding 100 beats per minute

Question 24

What is the clinical significance of the PR interval in EKG interpretation?

Accepted Answer

Indicates conduction delay between the AV node and ventricles

Answer

Measures atrial repolarization

Answer

Determines the ventricular rate

Answer

Reflects the electrical activity of the sinoatrial node

Question 25

What characteristic defines paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)?

Accepted Answer

Onset and termination of rapid heart rate occur abruptly

Answer

Sinoatrial block

Answer

Irregular heart rate

Question 26

Which arrhythmia is recognized by a QRS complex exceeding 0.12 seconds?

Accepted Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Premature ventricular contractions

Answer

Atrial flutter

Answer

Supraventricular tachycardia

Question 27

In cases of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response, which maneuver is often used as an initial intervention?

Accepted Answer

Vagal maneuvers

Answer

Cardioversion

Answer

Amiodarone

Question 28

What is the clinical significance of a prolonged QT interval?

Accepted Answer

Increased risk of torsades de pointes

Answer

Increased cardiac output

Answer

Faster heart rate

Answer

No clinical significance

Question 29

What differentiates atrial flutter from atrial fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

Atrial flutter exhibits a more consistent rhythm and pattern

Answer

Atrial fibrillation occurs more frequently

Answer

Atrial flutter occurs at a higher heart rate

Question 30

Which diagnostic tool is considered the gold standard for identifying arrhythmias?

Accepted Answer

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

Answer

Stress test

Answer

Echocardiogram

Answer

Holter monitor

Question 31

Which of the following is NOT a common presenting symptom of arrhythmias?

Accepted Answer

Increased appetite

Answer

Palpitations or a fluttering sensation in the chest

Answer

Chest pain or discomfort

Answer

Shortness of breath or fatigue

Question 32

Which type of arrhythmia is characterized by chaotic electrical activity in the atria, often resulting in an irregular heart rate?

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Sinus bradycardia

Answer

Sick sinus syndrome

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Question 33

What is a primary goal of arrhythmia management?

Accepted Answer

Restoring or maintaining a normal heart rhythm

Answer

Relieving anxiety or stress

Answer

Boosting the immune system

Answer

Improving exercise tolerance

Question 34

What is the typical heart rate range for sinus bradycardia?

Accepted Answer

Less than 60 beats per minute (bpm)

Answer

100-150 bpm

Answer

Greater than 150 bpm

Answer

60-100 bpm

Question 35

Which of the following is a potential complication of untreated arrhythmias?

Accepted Answer

Heart failure or stroke

Answer

Reduced risk of stroke

Answer

Improved cognitive function

Answer

Enhanced wound healing

Question 36

What type of diagnostic test is commonly used to evaluate arrhythmias?

Accepted Answer

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Answer

Complete blood count

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Question 37

What is the primary role of a medical assistant in arrhythmia recognition?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring patient vital signs and recognizing potential arrhythmias

Answer

Performing invasive cardiac procedures

Answer

Prescribing medications to treat arrhythmias

Question 38

Which of the following is a characteristic of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)?

Accepted Answer

Extra, wide QRS complexes

Answer

Slow and irregular heart rate

Answer

Inverted T waves

Answer

Prolonged QT interval

Question 39

What is the primary goal of advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) for arrhythmias?

Accepted Answer

Restoring a viable cardiac rhythm

Answer

Providing pain relief

Answer

Preventing thrombus formation

Question 40

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of atrial flutter?

Accepted Answer

P waves are present

Answer

May be associated with a rapid ventricular response

Answer

Rate between 250-350 bpm

Answer

Sawtooth pattern in II, III, aVF

Question 41

Which of the following is a potential complication of sustained ventricular tachycardia?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac arrest

Answer

Stroke

Answer

Pulmonary embolism

Answer

Mitral regurgitation

Question 42

What is the characteristic finding of second-degree atrioventricular block type II?

Accepted Answer

Progressive lengthening of PR intervals until a QRS complex is dropped

Answer

PR interval shorter than the previous one

Answer

Constant PR interval with intermittent dropped QRS complexes

Question 43

Which of the following conditions is NOT associated with supraventricular tachycardia?

Accepted Answer

Myocardial infarction

Answer

Anxiety

Answer

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Answer

Hyperthyroidism