NHA Certified EKG
Technician (CET) Exam 2025
– Verified Questions with
100% Correct Answers | First
Attempt Pass
Question 1
An EKG technician is preparing to perform a standard 12-lead EKG on an adult patient. Which
of the following locations is correct for placing the V1 electrode? A. Fifth intercostal space at the
right midclavicular line. B. Fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border. C. Fifth
intercostal space at the left midaxillary line. D. Second intercostal space at the left sternal border.
Rationale: Accurate lead placement is critical for proper cardiac monitoring and EKG
interpretation. V1 is placed at the fourth intercostal space along the right sternal border to view
the septal and right ventricular depolarization, as per NHA CET guidelines, ensuring detection of
bundle branch blocks and right heart strain without artifacts from misalignment.
Question 2
A patient undergoing a stress test reports dizziness and shortness of breath. What is the priority
action for the EKG technician? A. Continue the test and monitor vital signs. B. Administer
oxygen independently. C. Stop the test and notify the supervisor. D. Increase treadmill speed
to assess tolerance.
Rationale: Patient safety is paramount during cardiac monitoring. Symptoms like dizziness
indicate potential ischemia or arrhythmia, requiring immediate test termination and provider
notification to prevent adverse events, aligning with evidence-based protocols from the
American Heart Association for exercise stress testing.
Question 3
Which EKG finding indicates a first-degree AV block? A. PR interval less than 0.12 seconds. B.
Absent P waves with irregular QRS complexes. C. PR interval greater than 0.20 seconds with
consistent QRS. D. Progressive lengthening of PR until a QRS is dropped.
,Rationale: First-degree AV block is characterized by a prolonged PR interval (>0.20 seconds)
without dropped beats, reflecting delayed conduction through the AV node. This benign finding
is identified in routine EKG interpretation to monitor for progression to higher-degree blocks,
per standard cardiology guidelines.
Question 4
An EKG technician notices loose electrodes during a procedure. What should the technician do
first? A. Ignore if the tracing is clear. B. Reposition and secure the electrodes. C. Proceed and
note in documentation later. D. Replace the entire cable set.
Rationale: Loose electrodes cause artifacts that compromise EKG accuracy and interpretation.
Immediate repositioning ensures reliable waveforms for detecting arrhythmias, emphasizing
patient safety and quality control in cardiac monitoring as outlined in CET certification
standards.
Question 5
What is the normal range for the QRS duration on a standard EKG? A. 0.04-0.08 seconds. B.
0.12-0.20 seconds. C. 0.06-0.10 seconds. D. Greater than 0.12 seconds.
Rationale: A QRS duration of 0.06-0.10 seconds indicates normal ventricular depolarization.
Prolonged durations suggest conduction delays like bundle branch blocks, crucial for EKG
interpretation to identify risks such as ventricular hypertrophy or infarction.
Question 6
During Holter monitoring setup, a patient asks about daily activities. What instruction should the
technician provide? A. Avoid all exercise to prevent damage. B. Bathe immediately after setup.
C. Record activities in the diary for correlation with tracings. D. Remove electrodes if
itching occurs.
Rationale: Patient diaries in ambulatory monitoring link symptoms or activities to rhythm
abnormalities, enhancing interpretation accuracy. This promotes comprehensive cardiac
monitoring while ensuring safety through guided compliance with device use.
Question 7
Which rhythm is characterized by no P waves and irregular QRS complexes at 40-60 bpm? A.
Sinus bradycardia. C. Atrial fibrillation. B. Second-degree AV block type I. D. Ventricular
tachycardia.
, Rationale: Atrial fibrillation shows chaotic atrial activity (no P waves) with irregular ventricular
response, vital for EKG interpretation to assess thromboembolic risk and guide anticoagulation
therapy in patient safety protocols.
Question 8
An EKG technician is calibrating the machine. What standardization mark should be set? A. 5
mm deflection. B. 10 mm deflection. C. 10 mm vertical for 1 mV. D. 5 mm horizontal.
Rationale: Standard calibration produces a 10 mm deflection for 1 mV, ensuring consistent
EKG interpretation across tracings. This baseline prevents misdiagnosis of amplitude
abnormalities like hypertrophy during cardiac monitoring.
Question 9
A patient with a pacemaker is scheduled for EKG. What precaution should the technician take?
A. Place leads over the generator. C. Avoid placing electrodes directly on the device. B.
Increase gain to override spikes. D. Use bipolar leads only.
Rationale: Electrodes on the pacemaker site can inhibit function or cause burns, compromising
patient safety. Proper placement allows clear visualization of pacing spikes in interpretation
without interfering with device operation.
Question 10
What does ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF suggest? A. Anterior wall infarction. B. Lateral
wall ischemia. C. Inferior wall myocardial infarction. D. Septal hypertrophy.
Rationale: ST elevation in inferior leads (II, III, aVF) indicates acute inferior MI, requiring
urgent intervention. Accurate EKG interpretation localizes ischemia for timely reperfusion
therapy, enhancing patient outcomes.
Question 11
During telemetry, the technician observes wandering atrial pacemaker. What is the expected
rate? A. Less than 60 bpm. C. 60-100 bpm with varying P wave morphology. B. Greater than
100 bpm. D. No atrial activity.
Rationale: Wandering atrial pacemaker features gradual P wave changes at normal rates, a
benign variant in cardiac monitoring. Recognition prevents unnecessary alarms while ensuring
vigilant interpretation for progression to more serious arrhythmias.
Question 12
Technician (CET) Exam 2025
– Verified Questions with
100% Correct Answers | First
Attempt Pass
Question 1
An EKG technician is preparing to perform a standard 12-lead EKG on an adult patient. Which
of the following locations is correct for placing the V1 electrode? A. Fifth intercostal space at the
right midclavicular line. B. Fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border. C. Fifth
intercostal space at the left midaxillary line. D. Second intercostal space at the left sternal border.
Rationale: Accurate lead placement is critical for proper cardiac monitoring and EKG
interpretation. V1 is placed at the fourth intercostal space along the right sternal border to view
the septal and right ventricular depolarization, as per NHA CET guidelines, ensuring detection of
bundle branch blocks and right heart strain without artifacts from misalignment.
Question 2
A patient undergoing a stress test reports dizziness and shortness of breath. What is the priority
action for the EKG technician? A. Continue the test and monitor vital signs. B. Administer
oxygen independently. C. Stop the test and notify the supervisor. D. Increase treadmill speed
to assess tolerance.
Rationale: Patient safety is paramount during cardiac monitoring. Symptoms like dizziness
indicate potential ischemia or arrhythmia, requiring immediate test termination and provider
notification to prevent adverse events, aligning with evidence-based protocols from the
American Heart Association for exercise stress testing.
Question 3
Which EKG finding indicates a first-degree AV block? A. PR interval less than 0.12 seconds. B.
Absent P waves with irregular QRS complexes. C. PR interval greater than 0.20 seconds with
consistent QRS. D. Progressive lengthening of PR until a QRS is dropped.
,Rationale: First-degree AV block is characterized by a prolonged PR interval (>0.20 seconds)
without dropped beats, reflecting delayed conduction through the AV node. This benign finding
is identified in routine EKG interpretation to monitor for progression to higher-degree blocks,
per standard cardiology guidelines.
Question 4
An EKG technician notices loose electrodes during a procedure. What should the technician do
first? A. Ignore if the tracing is clear. B. Reposition and secure the electrodes. C. Proceed and
note in documentation later. D. Replace the entire cable set.
Rationale: Loose electrodes cause artifacts that compromise EKG accuracy and interpretation.
Immediate repositioning ensures reliable waveforms for detecting arrhythmias, emphasizing
patient safety and quality control in cardiac monitoring as outlined in CET certification
standards.
Question 5
What is the normal range for the QRS duration on a standard EKG? A. 0.04-0.08 seconds. B.
0.12-0.20 seconds. C. 0.06-0.10 seconds. D. Greater than 0.12 seconds.
Rationale: A QRS duration of 0.06-0.10 seconds indicates normal ventricular depolarization.
Prolonged durations suggest conduction delays like bundle branch blocks, crucial for EKG
interpretation to identify risks such as ventricular hypertrophy or infarction.
Question 6
During Holter monitoring setup, a patient asks about daily activities. What instruction should the
technician provide? A. Avoid all exercise to prevent damage. B. Bathe immediately after setup.
C. Record activities in the diary for correlation with tracings. D. Remove electrodes if
itching occurs.
Rationale: Patient diaries in ambulatory monitoring link symptoms or activities to rhythm
abnormalities, enhancing interpretation accuracy. This promotes comprehensive cardiac
monitoring while ensuring safety through guided compliance with device use.
Question 7
Which rhythm is characterized by no P waves and irregular QRS complexes at 40-60 bpm? A.
Sinus bradycardia. C. Atrial fibrillation. B. Second-degree AV block type I. D. Ventricular
tachycardia.
, Rationale: Atrial fibrillation shows chaotic atrial activity (no P waves) with irregular ventricular
response, vital for EKG interpretation to assess thromboembolic risk and guide anticoagulation
therapy in patient safety protocols.
Question 8
An EKG technician is calibrating the machine. What standardization mark should be set? A. 5
mm deflection. B. 10 mm deflection. C. 10 mm vertical for 1 mV. D. 5 mm horizontal.
Rationale: Standard calibration produces a 10 mm deflection for 1 mV, ensuring consistent
EKG interpretation across tracings. This baseline prevents misdiagnosis of amplitude
abnormalities like hypertrophy during cardiac monitoring.
Question 9
A patient with a pacemaker is scheduled for EKG. What precaution should the technician take?
A. Place leads over the generator. C. Avoid placing electrodes directly on the device. B.
Increase gain to override spikes. D. Use bipolar leads only.
Rationale: Electrodes on the pacemaker site can inhibit function or cause burns, compromising
patient safety. Proper placement allows clear visualization of pacing spikes in interpretation
without interfering with device operation.
Question 10
What does ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF suggest? A. Anterior wall infarction. B. Lateral
wall ischemia. C. Inferior wall myocardial infarction. D. Septal hypertrophy.
Rationale: ST elevation in inferior leads (II, III, aVF) indicates acute inferior MI, requiring
urgent intervention. Accurate EKG interpretation localizes ischemia for timely reperfusion
therapy, enhancing patient outcomes.
Question 11
During telemetry, the technician observes wandering atrial pacemaker. What is the expected
rate? A. Less than 60 bpm. C. 60-100 bpm with varying P wave morphology. B. Greater than
100 bpm. D. No atrial activity.
Rationale: Wandering atrial pacemaker features gradual P wave changes at normal rates, a
benign variant in cardiac monitoring. Recognition prevents unnecessary alarms while ensuring
vigilant interpretation for progression to more serious arrhythmias.
Question 12
