• Relias Medical-Surgical Telemetry Exam Review
2026 | 240+ Comprehensive Practice Questions
with Accurate Answers & In-Depth Rationales |
Advanced Cardiac Monitoring, Rhythm Analysis,
Telemetry Strip Interpretation, Acute Med-Surg
Conditions, Emergency Interventions, Patient
Safety Standards, and Clinical Judgment Skills
for RELIAS Competency Assessments
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of telemetry in a hospital setting?
A) Monitor medication administration
B) Continuously monitor cardiac rhythms
C) Assess patient's mobility
D) Schedule surgeries
Correct Option: B) Continuously monitor cardiac rhythms
RATIONALE: Telemetry is a system used in healthcare primarily for continuously
monitoring patients' cardiac rhythms. It allows healthcare providers to detect
arrhythmias or changes in heart function, ensuring timely interventions if necessary.
Question 2:
Which of the following patients would MOST benefit from telemetry monitoring?
A) A patient with a broken leg
B) A patient recovering from major surgery
C) A patient with a history of heart failure
D) A patient with mild dehydration
Correct Option: C) A patient with a history of heart failure
RATIONALE: Patients with a history of heart failure are at risk for cardiac complications
and often require close monitoring of their heart function. Telemetry allows for
immediate detection of rhythm changes or worsening of their condition.
Question 3:
What is the significance of the ST segment on an ECG reading?
A) Indicates atrial contraction
B) Reflects ventricular repolarization
C) Determines heart rate
D) Measures blood pressure
,Correct Option: B) Reflects ventricular repolarization
RATIONALE: The ST segment is critical in assessing the heart's electrical activity after
ventricular contraction. Changes in the ST segment can indicate myocardial ischemia or
infarction, making it a vital component of cardiac monitoring.
Question 4:
When should telemetry leads be changed?
A) Every 24 hours
B) Only when they become loose
C) When skin irritation occurs
D) At the discretion of the healthcare provider
Correct Option: C) When skin irritation occurs
RATIONALE: Telemetry leads should be changed when skin irritation occurs to prevent
further skin breakdown and ensure accurate monitoring. Regular checks should be
done to maintain adherence and prevent issues.
Question 5:
What is the primary role of the telemetry nurse?
A) Administer medications
B) Interpret ECG changes
C) Conduct physical therapy
D) Assist with surgeries
Correct Option: B) Interpret ECG changes
RATIONALE: The telemetry nurse is responsible for monitoring and interpreting ECG
changes. This role is vital in quickly identifying any abnormalities in heart rhythms,
facilitating prompt clinical interventions.
Question 6:
Which arrhythmia is characterized by a rapid heart rate exceeding 100 beats per
minute with a regular rhythm?
A) Atrial fibrillation
B) Ventricular tachycardia
C) Sinus tachycardia
D) Bradycardia
Correct Option: C) Sinus tachycardia
,RATIONALE: Sinus tachycardia is defined as a heart rate greater than 100 beats per
minute with a regular rhythm originating from the sinoatrial node. It can occur in
response to various physiological or pathological stimuli.
Question 7:
What does a wide QRS complex indicate?
A) Atrial origin of the rhythm
B) Ventricular conduction delay
C) Normal conduction
D) Supraventricular tachycardia
Correct Option: B) Ventricular conduction delay
RATIONALE: A wide QRS complex indicates a delay in ventricular conduction, which
can be due to conditions such as bundle branch blocks or ventricular rhythms. It is
crucial for proper diagnosis and management.
Question 8:
Which symptom is commonly associated with atrial fibrillation?
A) Chest pain
B) Shortness of breath
C) Increased appetite
D) Fluctuating blood pressure
Correct Option: B) Shortness of breath
RATIONALE: Atrial fibrillation can lead to ineffective heart contractions, resulting in
decreased cardiac output and potential pulmonary congestion, which manifests as
shortness of breath.
Question 9:
What is the first-line treatment for symptomatic bradycardia?
A) Intravenous fluids
B) Atropine
C) Electric shock
D) Beta-blockers
Correct Option: B) Atropine
RATIONALE: Atropine is the first-line medication used to treat symptomatic bradycardia
by blocking vagal influences on the heart, thus increasing heart rate.
, Question 10:
Which electrolyte imbalance can lead to torsades de pointes?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypercalcemia
C) Hypomagnesemia
D) Hypernatremia
Correct Option: C) Hypomagnesemia
RATIONALE: Torsades de pointes is a type of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia often
associated with low magnesium levels. Magnesium plays a crucial role in cardiac
conduction and stability.
Question 11:
How often should vital signs be assessed for a patient on telemetry?
A) Every hour
B) Every 4 hours
C) Every 15 minutes
D) As per doctor's orders
Correct Option: D) As per doctor's orders
RATIONALE: While general guidelines exist, the frequency of vital signs monitoring
should be determined by the healthcare provider based on the patient's condition and
telemetry findings.
Question 12:
What type of pacing is used when a patient's heart rate is too slow?
A) Atrial pacing
B) Ventricular pacing
C) Demand pacing
D) Fixed-rate pacing
Correct Option: C) Demand pacing
RATIONALE: Demand pacing is activated only when the heart rate falls below a
predetermined threshold, helping to ensure that the heart maintains an adequate rate
during slow rhythms.
2026 | 240+ Comprehensive Practice Questions
with Accurate Answers & In-Depth Rationales |
Advanced Cardiac Monitoring, Rhythm Analysis,
Telemetry Strip Interpretation, Acute Med-Surg
Conditions, Emergency Interventions, Patient
Safety Standards, and Clinical Judgment Skills
for RELIAS Competency Assessments
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of telemetry in a hospital setting?
A) Monitor medication administration
B) Continuously monitor cardiac rhythms
C) Assess patient's mobility
D) Schedule surgeries
Correct Option: B) Continuously monitor cardiac rhythms
RATIONALE: Telemetry is a system used in healthcare primarily for continuously
monitoring patients' cardiac rhythms. It allows healthcare providers to detect
arrhythmias or changes in heart function, ensuring timely interventions if necessary.
Question 2:
Which of the following patients would MOST benefit from telemetry monitoring?
A) A patient with a broken leg
B) A patient recovering from major surgery
C) A patient with a history of heart failure
D) A patient with mild dehydration
Correct Option: C) A patient with a history of heart failure
RATIONALE: Patients with a history of heart failure are at risk for cardiac complications
and often require close monitoring of their heart function. Telemetry allows for
immediate detection of rhythm changes or worsening of their condition.
Question 3:
What is the significance of the ST segment on an ECG reading?
A) Indicates atrial contraction
B) Reflects ventricular repolarization
C) Determines heart rate
D) Measures blood pressure
,Correct Option: B) Reflects ventricular repolarization
RATIONALE: The ST segment is critical in assessing the heart's electrical activity after
ventricular contraction. Changes in the ST segment can indicate myocardial ischemia or
infarction, making it a vital component of cardiac monitoring.
Question 4:
When should telemetry leads be changed?
A) Every 24 hours
B) Only when they become loose
C) When skin irritation occurs
D) At the discretion of the healthcare provider
Correct Option: C) When skin irritation occurs
RATIONALE: Telemetry leads should be changed when skin irritation occurs to prevent
further skin breakdown and ensure accurate monitoring. Regular checks should be
done to maintain adherence and prevent issues.
Question 5:
What is the primary role of the telemetry nurse?
A) Administer medications
B) Interpret ECG changes
C) Conduct physical therapy
D) Assist with surgeries
Correct Option: B) Interpret ECG changes
RATIONALE: The telemetry nurse is responsible for monitoring and interpreting ECG
changes. This role is vital in quickly identifying any abnormalities in heart rhythms,
facilitating prompt clinical interventions.
Question 6:
Which arrhythmia is characterized by a rapid heart rate exceeding 100 beats per
minute with a regular rhythm?
A) Atrial fibrillation
B) Ventricular tachycardia
C) Sinus tachycardia
D) Bradycardia
Correct Option: C) Sinus tachycardia
,RATIONALE: Sinus tachycardia is defined as a heart rate greater than 100 beats per
minute with a regular rhythm originating from the sinoatrial node. It can occur in
response to various physiological or pathological stimuli.
Question 7:
What does a wide QRS complex indicate?
A) Atrial origin of the rhythm
B) Ventricular conduction delay
C) Normal conduction
D) Supraventricular tachycardia
Correct Option: B) Ventricular conduction delay
RATIONALE: A wide QRS complex indicates a delay in ventricular conduction, which
can be due to conditions such as bundle branch blocks or ventricular rhythms. It is
crucial for proper diagnosis and management.
Question 8:
Which symptom is commonly associated with atrial fibrillation?
A) Chest pain
B) Shortness of breath
C) Increased appetite
D) Fluctuating blood pressure
Correct Option: B) Shortness of breath
RATIONALE: Atrial fibrillation can lead to ineffective heart contractions, resulting in
decreased cardiac output and potential pulmonary congestion, which manifests as
shortness of breath.
Question 9:
What is the first-line treatment for symptomatic bradycardia?
A) Intravenous fluids
B) Atropine
C) Electric shock
D) Beta-blockers
Correct Option: B) Atropine
RATIONALE: Atropine is the first-line medication used to treat symptomatic bradycardia
by blocking vagal influences on the heart, thus increasing heart rate.
, Question 10:
Which electrolyte imbalance can lead to torsades de pointes?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypercalcemia
C) Hypomagnesemia
D) Hypernatremia
Correct Option: C) Hypomagnesemia
RATIONALE: Torsades de pointes is a type of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia often
associated with low magnesium levels. Magnesium plays a crucial role in cardiac
conduction and stability.
Question 11:
How often should vital signs be assessed for a patient on telemetry?
A) Every hour
B) Every 4 hours
C) Every 15 minutes
D) As per doctor's orders
Correct Option: D) As per doctor's orders
RATIONALE: While general guidelines exist, the frequency of vital signs monitoring
should be determined by the healthcare provider based on the patient's condition and
telemetry findings.
Question 12:
What type of pacing is used when a patient's heart rate is too slow?
A) Atrial pacing
B) Ventricular pacing
C) Demand pacing
D) Fixed-rate pacing
Correct Option: C) Demand pacing
RATIONALE: Demand pacing is activated only when the heart rate falls below a
predetermined threshold, helping to ensure that the heart maintains an adequate rate
during slow rhythms.
