APEX EKG Exam Questions and Answers
Updated
Question 1
Heart Block 2nd Degree AVB Type I
Correct Answer
Regularity: usually irregular, but can look regular but interrupted, a classic sign of
Wenckebach is a pattern of grouped beats, with a pause
Rate: atrial rate usually 60-100; ventricular rate less than the atrial rate due to the
nonconducted beats
P wave: upright, smooth, round and uniform shape, BUT not all are followed by a
QRS complex
PRI : progressively gets longer until you have a P wave without a QRS complex (or a
"dropped beat")
QRS: 0.06 to 0.10 seconds
QTI: 0.36 to 0.46 seconds
T wave: upright, smooth and round uniform shape, normal
Page 1 of 84
,Question 2
Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)
Correct Answer
Regularity: atrial rate regular, underlying ventricular rate is regular except for the
interrupting early beat
Rate: determined by the underlying rhythm
P wave: upright, smooth, round and uniform shape, EXCEPT at the early beat it will
be absent
PRI : 0.12 to 0.20 seconds except for early beat
QRS: 0.06 to 0.10 seconds or normal, for the early beat its wide and bizarre
QTI: 0.36 to 0.46 seconds for normal beats
T wave: normal except for early beats
Page 2 of 84
,Question 3
Sinus Arrest and Sinus Pause
Correct Answer
Regularity: Regular but interrupted (by a pause)
Rate: can occur at any heart rate
P wave: normal sinus P waves before the pause
PRI: 0.12 to 0.20 seconds before the pause, may be shorter or absent after the pause
QRS: 0.06 to 0.10 seconds on the sinus beats, on the escape beats the QRS may be
narrow or wide depending on which pacemaker of the heart resumes after the
pause
QTI: 0.36 to 0.46 seconds for the sinus beats
Page 3 of 84
, Question 4
Premature Atrial Contractions
PACs
Correct Answer
Regularity: underlying atrial rate is regular except for early beat, ventricular rate is
regular
Rate: determined by the underlying rhythm
P wave: upright, smooth, round and uniform shape, EXCEPT for the premature beat,
it will shaped differently
PRI : 0.12 to 0.20 seconds except for early beat
QRS: 0.06 to 0.10 seconds and all are uniform
QTI: 0.36 to 0.46 seconds
T wave: upright, smooth and round uniform shape
Other: because the electrical stimulus is originating somewhere in the atria (but
NOT the SA node) it affects the P wave formation
Question 5
Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT)
Correct Answer
Paroxysmal refers to a rhythm that starts and stops suddenly
Page 4 of 84
Updated
Question 1
Heart Block 2nd Degree AVB Type I
Correct Answer
Regularity: usually irregular, but can look regular but interrupted, a classic sign of
Wenckebach is a pattern of grouped beats, with a pause
Rate: atrial rate usually 60-100; ventricular rate less than the atrial rate due to the
nonconducted beats
P wave: upright, smooth, round and uniform shape, BUT not all are followed by a
QRS complex
PRI : progressively gets longer until you have a P wave without a QRS complex (or a
"dropped beat")
QRS: 0.06 to 0.10 seconds
QTI: 0.36 to 0.46 seconds
T wave: upright, smooth and round uniform shape, normal
Page 1 of 84
,Question 2
Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)
Correct Answer
Regularity: atrial rate regular, underlying ventricular rate is regular except for the
interrupting early beat
Rate: determined by the underlying rhythm
P wave: upright, smooth, round and uniform shape, EXCEPT at the early beat it will
be absent
PRI : 0.12 to 0.20 seconds except for early beat
QRS: 0.06 to 0.10 seconds or normal, for the early beat its wide and bizarre
QTI: 0.36 to 0.46 seconds for normal beats
T wave: normal except for early beats
Page 2 of 84
,Question 3
Sinus Arrest and Sinus Pause
Correct Answer
Regularity: Regular but interrupted (by a pause)
Rate: can occur at any heart rate
P wave: normal sinus P waves before the pause
PRI: 0.12 to 0.20 seconds before the pause, may be shorter or absent after the pause
QRS: 0.06 to 0.10 seconds on the sinus beats, on the escape beats the QRS may be
narrow or wide depending on which pacemaker of the heart resumes after the
pause
QTI: 0.36 to 0.46 seconds for the sinus beats
Page 3 of 84
, Question 4
Premature Atrial Contractions
PACs
Correct Answer
Regularity: underlying atrial rate is regular except for early beat, ventricular rate is
regular
Rate: determined by the underlying rhythm
P wave: upright, smooth, round and uniform shape, EXCEPT for the premature beat,
it will shaped differently
PRI : 0.12 to 0.20 seconds except for early beat
QRS: 0.06 to 0.10 seconds and all are uniform
QTI: 0.36 to 0.46 seconds
T wave: upright, smooth and round uniform shape
Other: because the electrical stimulus is originating somewhere in the atria (but
NOT the SA node) it affects the P wave formation
Question 5
Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT)
Correct Answer
Paroxysmal refers to a rhythm that starts and stops suddenly
Page 4 of 84
