EKG Monitoring in Critical Care: Practice Quizzes and Study Guide

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a standard EKG lead placement?

Accepted Answer

Lead VR

Answer

Lead I

Answer

Lead III

Answer

Lead V6

Question 2

Which arrhythmia is characterized by a heart rate slower than 60 beats per minute?

Accepted Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Ventricular fibrillation

Answer

Atrial flutter

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of hemodynamic monitoring in critical care settings?

Accepted Answer

To detect changes in cardiac output and volume status

Answer

To assess blood pressure and oxygenation

Answer

To monitor electrolyte levels

Answer

To calculate medication dosages

Question 4

Which parameter is measured using a pulmonary artery catheter?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure

Answer

Central venous pressure

Answer

Arterial oxygen saturation

Answer

Cardiac index

Question 5

What is the significance of a persistent ST-segment elevation in an EKG?

Accepted Answer

Indicates myocardial infarction

Answer

Indicates myocardial ischemia

Answer

Indicates arrhythmia

Answer

Indicates electrolyte imbalance

Question 6

What is the primary responsibility of a medical assistant in EKG monitoring in critical care?

Accepted Answer

Applying and maintaining EKG electrodes

Answer

Interpreting EKG rhythms

Answer

Performing hemodynamic monitoring

Answer

Providing patient education

Question 7

Which component of an EKG complex primarily represents ventricular depolarization?

Accepted Answer

QRS complex

Answer

P wave

Answer

T wave

Answer

U wave

Question 8

A patient presents with a heart rate of 180 bpm, wide and irregularly shaped QRS complexes. Which arrhythmia is most likely present?

Accepted Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Answer

Supraventricular tachycardia

Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Ventricular fibrillation

Question 9

What is the significance of ST-segment elevation in an EKG?

Accepted Answer

Indicates myocardial ischemia

Answer

Indicates electrolyte imbalance

Answer

Indicates arrhythmia

Answer

Indicates normal sinus rhythm

Question 10

What is the typical EKG rhythm observed in sinus bradycardia?

Accepted Answer

Regular, heart rate < 60 bpm

Answer

Irregular, heart rate > 100 bpm

Answer

Regular, heart rate > 100 bpm

Answer

Irregular, heart rate < 60 bpm

Question 11

What is the initial step in interpreting an EKG?

Accepted Answer

Identify the rhythm

Answer

Measure the heart rate

Answer

Analyze the PR interval

Answer

Evaluate the QRS complex

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a critical hemodynamic parameter that can be monitored using an EKG?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen saturation

Answer

Cardiac output

Answer

Stroke volume

Answer

Diastolic blood pressure

Question 13

What is the significance of a prolonged PR interval on an EKG?

Accepted Answer

Atrioventricular block

Answer

Delayed atrial depolarization

Answer

Shortened ventricular conduction

Answer

Increased heart rate

Question 14

What is the appropriate course of action when an EKG monitor alarm sounds?

Accepted Answer

Check the patient and EKG tracing immediately

Answer

Ignore it unless patient symptoms are present

Answer

Reset the alarm and continue monitoring

Answer

Call the doctor only if the alarm persists for more than 2 minutes

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a common cause of pleural effusion?

Accepted Answer

Asthma

Answer

Congestive heart failure

Answer

Pneumonia

Answer

Tuberculosis

Question 16

What is the primary goal of pericardiocentesis?

Accepted Answer

To relieve pericardial tamponade and improve cardiac function

Answer

To drain excess pericardial fluid

Answer

To repair a perforated pericardium

Answer

To administer medications directly to the pericardium

Question 17

A PR interval exceeding 0.20 seconds indicates:

Accepted Answer

First-degree atrioventricular block

Answer

Second-degree atrioventricular block

Answer

Third-degree atrioventricular block

Answer

Bundle branch block

Question 18

To accurately determine the heart rate of a patient, which waveform on an EKG is measured?

Accepted Answer

QRS complex

Answer

P wave

Answer

T wave

Answer

U wave

Question 19

If a patient experiences ventricular fibrillation, which intervention is the most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Defibrillation

Answer

Vagal maneuvers

Answer

Atropine

Answer

Cardioversion

Question 20

A prolonged QT interval on an EKG is significant because it:

Accepted Answer

Increases the risk of torsades de pointes

Answer

Increases the risk of bradycardia

Answer

Increases the risk of tachycardia

Answer

Has no clinical significance

Question 21

In healthy individuals, the typical range for cardiac output is:

Accepted Answer

4-6 L/min

Answer

2-4 L/min

Answer

6-8 L/min

Answer

8-10 L/min

Question 22

When caring for a patient with a pulmonary artery catheter, the highest nursing priority is to:

Accepted Answer

Maintain the sterility of the insertion site

Answer

Monitor for signs of infection

Answer

Document hemodynamic measurements every 4 hours

Answer

Elevate the head of the bed at a 45-degree angle

Question 23

When interpreting an EKG, the PR interval represents the time between:

Accepted Answer

Atrial depolarization and ventricular depolarization

Answer

Ventricular depolarization and repolarization

Answer

Atrial repolarization and ventricular depolarization

Answer

P wave and T wave

Question 24

In critical care settings, which hemodynamic monitoring method is most frequently employed?

Accepted Answer

Arterial line monitoring

Answer

Central venous pressure monitoring

Answer

Pulmonary artery catheterization

Answer

Echocardiography

Question 25

During hemodynamic monitoring, which parameter is used to evaluate cardiac output?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac index

Answer

Mean arterial pressure

Answer

Central venous pressure

Answer

Stroke volume

Question 26

Which medication is commonly utilized to treat supraventricular tachycardia?

Accepted Answer

Adenosine

Answer

Amiodarone

Answer

Lidocaine

Answer

Digoxin

Question 27

What is the primary purpose of hemodynamic monitoring in critical care?

Accepted Answer

To optimize tissue perfusion and the function of vital organs

Answer

To diagnose specific diseases

Answer

To evaluate the patient's response to treatment

Answer

To predict the patient's prognosis

Question 28

What does the ST segment represent on an EKG?

Accepted Answer

The interval between ventricular depolarization and repolarization

Answer

The interval between atrial depolarization and ventricular repolarization

Answer

The peak of the T wave

Answer

The baseline of the EKG

Question 29

What is the primary reason for using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate valvular heart disease

Answer

To assess myocardial ischemia

Answer

To screen for congenital heart defects

Question 30

When caring for a patient with pericarditis, which nursing action is most crucial?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring for cardiac tamponade

Answer

Administering antibiotics

Answer

Offering emotional support

Question 31

What is the main clinical significance of a left bundle branch block (LBBB) on an EKG?

Accepted Answer

It indicates a delay in electrical conduction through the left bundle branch, resulting in a wide QRS complex.

Answer

It is a harmless finding that usually does not require medical attention.

Answer

It is always associated with a complete heart block.

Question 32

Which of the following is true regarding the differences between transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)?

Accepted Answer

TEE provides clearer images of the posterior left atrium than TTE.

Accepted Answer

TTE is less invasive than TEE.

Answer

TEE cannot be used to guide percutaneous coronary interventions.

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT a pathophysiologic mechanism contributing to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)?

Accepted Answer

Increased surfactant production

Answer

Alveolar flooding

Answer

Pulmonary vasodilation

Answer

Neutrophilic infiltration

Question 34

Cardiac biomarkers, like troponins and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), play a crucial role in evaluating cardiac function and predicting outcomes for critical care patients. Explain their significance.

Accepted Answer

Elevated troponin levels indicate ongoing heart damage, while elevated BNP levels suggest impaired heart function.

Answer

Troponins and BNP are solely used to diagnose myocardial infarction.

Answer

BNP is more sensitive than troponins in detecting heart problems.

Answer

Biomarkers have no value in predicting outcomes for critically ill patients.

Question 35

What is the proper sequence of cardiac depolarization?

Accepted Answer

Sinoatrial (SA) node -> atrial tissue -> Atrioventricular (AV) node -> Bundle of His -> Bundle branches -> Purkinje fibers

Answer

AV node -> Bundle of His -> SA node -> atrial tissue -> Bundle branches -> Purkinje fibers

Answer

Bundle of His -> Bundle branches -> SA node -> AV node -> atrial tissue -> Purkinje fibers

Question 36

Which arrhythmia is characterized by the absence of P waves, irregular QRS complexes, and varying RR intervals?

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Answer

Sinus bradycardia

Answer

Ventricular tachycardia

Question 37

Which medication is commonly administered to terminate supraventricular tachycardia?

Accepted Answer

Adenosine

Answer

Digoxin

Answer

Amiodarone

Answer

Propranolol

Question 38

In lead V1 of an electrocardiogram, what does a negative T wave typically indicate?

Accepted Answer

Right ventricular strain or ischemia

Answer

Left ventricular hypertrophy

Answer

Atrial flutter

Answer

Normal finding in young individuals

Question 39

What is the primary purpose of inserting a pulmonary artery catheter?

Accepted Answer

To monitor hemodynamic parameters, such as cardiac output and pulmonary artery pressure

Answer

To perform blood transfusions

Answer

To administer medications and fluids

Question 40

For a 60-year-old individual, what is the estimated maximum heart rate attainable during exercise?

Accepted Answer

160 beats per minute (bpm)

Answer

120 bpm

Answer

150 bpm

Answer

170 bpm

Question 41

Which of the following is a well-established risk factor for developing ventricular arrhythmias?

Accepted Answer

Myocardial infarction

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Answer

Diabetes mellitus

Answer

Anemia