Baylor Scott & White EKG Test with Correct
Answers (Graded A+)
1. What is the normal rate for a Sinus Rhythm?
a) 40-60 bpm
b) 60-100 bpm
c) 100-150 bpm
d) 150-250 bpm
Answer: B
*Explanation: The sinoatrial (SA) node, the heart's primary pacemaker,
has an intrinsic rate of 60-100 beats per minute.*
2. A rhythm is regular, has a P wave before every QRS, a QRS after
every P wave, and a rate of 110. This is:
a) Sinus Tachycardia
b) Sinus Bradycardia
c) Atrial Tachycardia
d) Junctional Rhythm
Answer: A
Explanation: It meets all the criteria for a sinus rhythm (normal P waves
and consistent PR interval), but the rate is above 100 bpm.
3. The primary pacemaker of the heart is the:
a) Atrioventricular (AV) Node
b) Bundle of His
c) Sinoatrial (SA) Node
d) Purkinje Fibers
Answer: C
Explanation: The SA node, located in the right atrium, is the primary
pacemaker and initiates the electrical impulse in a normal heart.
,4. Which lead is considered the "Septal" lead on a 12-lead EKG?
a) Lead I
b) Lead II
c) aVF
d) V1
Answer: D
Explanation: Lead V1 is positioned in the 4th intercostal space to the
right of the sternum and primarily views the septal wall of the left
ventricle.
5. The EKG complex that represents ventricular depolarization is
the:
a) P wave
b) QRS complex
c) T wave
d) U wave
Answer: B
Explanation: The QRS complex represents the rapid depolarization of
the right and left ventricles.
6. A rhythm with no P waves, an irregular rhythm, and a wavy
baseline is most likely:
a) Ventricular Tachycardia
b) Atrial Flutter
c) Atrial Fibrillation
d) Sinus Arrhythmia
Answer: C
Explanation: Atrial Fibrillation is characterized by the absence of
distinct P waves, replaced by chaotic, fibrillatory waves, and an
irregularly irregular ventricular response.
,7. What is the normal duration of the PR interval?
a) 0.04 - 0.10 seconds
b) 0.06 - 0.12 seconds
c) 0.12 - 0.20 seconds
d) 0.20 - 0.30 seconds
Answer: C
*Explanation: The PR interval (from the start of the P wave to the start
of the QRS) should be between 0.12 and 0.20 seconds (3-5 small
boxes).*
8. A patient's EKG shows a PR interval that progressively lengthens
until a QRS complex is dropped. This is:
a) First-Degree AV Block
b) Second-Degree AV Block, Type I (Wenckebach)
c) Second-Degree AV Block, Type II
d) Third-Degree AV Block
Answer: B
Explanation: This is the classic hallmark of Second-Degree AV Block,
Type I (Mobitz I/Wenckebach).
9. ST segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF indicates
ischemia/infarction in which area of the heart?
a) Anterior
b) Lateral
c) Inferior
d) Septal
Answer: C
Explanation: Leads II, III, and aVF are the inferior leads, viewing the
bottom (inferior) wall of the left ventricle.
10. A "Sawtooth" pattern is characteristic of which arrhythmia?
a) Atrial Fibrillation
, b) Ventricular Fibrillation
c) Atrial Flutter
d) Torsades de Pointes
Answer: C
Explanation: Atrial Flutter is characterized by "flutter" or "sawtooth"
waves, often best seen in leads II, III, and aVF.
11. A wide, bizarre QRS complex without preceding P waves at a
rate of 170 bpm is most consistent with:
a) Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) with aberrancy
b) Sinus Tachycardia
c) Ventricular Tachycardia
d) Atrial Flutter with 2:1 block
Answer: C
Explanation: Ventricular Tachycardia is a wide-complex tachycardia
originating in the ventricles, typically without preceding atrial activity.
12. The "Firing" of the SA node is represented on the EKG by the:
a) QRS complex
b) T wave
c) P wave
d) PR segment
Answer: C
Explanation: The P wave represents depolarization of the atria, which is
initiated by the SA node.
13. What is the most life-threatening arrhythmia?
a) Sinus Bradycardia
b) Atrial Fibrillation
c) Ventricular Fibrillation
d) First-Degree AV Block
Answer: C
Answers (Graded A+)
1. What is the normal rate for a Sinus Rhythm?
a) 40-60 bpm
b) 60-100 bpm
c) 100-150 bpm
d) 150-250 bpm
Answer: B
*Explanation: The sinoatrial (SA) node, the heart's primary pacemaker,
has an intrinsic rate of 60-100 beats per minute.*
2. A rhythm is regular, has a P wave before every QRS, a QRS after
every P wave, and a rate of 110. This is:
a) Sinus Tachycardia
b) Sinus Bradycardia
c) Atrial Tachycardia
d) Junctional Rhythm
Answer: A
Explanation: It meets all the criteria for a sinus rhythm (normal P waves
and consistent PR interval), but the rate is above 100 bpm.
3. The primary pacemaker of the heart is the:
a) Atrioventricular (AV) Node
b) Bundle of His
c) Sinoatrial (SA) Node
d) Purkinje Fibers
Answer: C
Explanation: The SA node, located in the right atrium, is the primary
pacemaker and initiates the electrical impulse in a normal heart.
,4. Which lead is considered the "Septal" lead on a 12-lead EKG?
a) Lead I
b) Lead II
c) aVF
d) V1
Answer: D
Explanation: Lead V1 is positioned in the 4th intercostal space to the
right of the sternum and primarily views the septal wall of the left
ventricle.
5. The EKG complex that represents ventricular depolarization is
the:
a) P wave
b) QRS complex
c) T wave
d) U wave
Answer: B
Explanation: The QRS complex represents the rapid depolarization of
the right and left ventricles.
6. A rhythm with no P waves, an irregular rhythm, and a wavy
baseline is most likely:
a) Ventricular Tachycardia
b) Atrial Flutter
c) Atrial Fibrillation
d) Sinus Arrhythmia
Answer: C
Explanation: Atrial Fibrillation is characterized by the absence of
distinct P waves, replaced by chaotic, fibrillatory waves, and an
irregularly irregular ventricular response.
,7. What is the normal duration of the PR interval?
a) 0.04 - 0.10 seconds
b) 0.06 - 0.12 seconds
c) 0.12 - 0.20 seconds
d) 0.20 - 0.30 seconds
Answer: C
*Explanation: The PR interval (from the start of the P wave to the start
of the QRS) should be between 0.12 and 0.20 seconds (3-5 small
boxes).*
8. A patient's EKG shows a PR interval that progressively lengthens
until a QRS complex is dropped. This is:
a) First-Degree AV Block
b) Second-Degree AV Block, Type I (Wenckebach)
c) Second-Degree AV Block, Type II
d) Third-Degree AV Block
Answer: B
Explanation: This is the classic hallmark of Second-Degree AV Block,
Type I (Mobitz I/Wenckebach).
9. ST segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF indicates
ischemia/infarction in which area of the heart?
a) Anterior
b) Lateral
c) Inferior
d) Septal
Answer: C
Explanation: Leads II, III, and aVF are the inferior leads, viewing the
bottom (inferior) wall of the left ventricle.
10. A "Sawtooth" pattern is characteristic of which arrhythmia?
a) Atrial Fibrillation
, b) Ventricular Fibrillation
c) Atrial Flutter
d) Torsades de Pointes
Answer: C
Explanation: Atrial Flutter is characterized by "flutter" or "sawtooth"
waves, often best seen in leads II, III, and aVF.
11. A wide, bizarre QRS complex without preceding P waves at a
rate of 170 bpm is most consistent with:
a) Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) with aberrancy
b) Sinus Tachycardia
c) Ventricular Tachycardia
d) Atrial Flutter with 2:1 block
Answer: C
Explanation: Ventricular Tachycardia is a wide-complex tachycardia
originating in the ventricles, typically without preceding atrial activity.
12. The "Firing" of the SA node is represented on the EKG by the:
a) QRS complex
b) T wave
c) P wave
d) PR segment
Answer: C
Explanation: The P wave represents depolarization of the atria, which is
initiated by the SA node.
13. What is the most life-threatening arrhythmia?
a) Sinus Bradycardia
b) Atrial Fibrillation
c) Ventricular Fibrillation
d) First-Degree AV Block
Answer: C
