Cardiac Care: Exam ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
The nurse shows the student a patient's normal sinus rhythm on the cardiac monitor. The nurse
asks the student which waveform represents ventricular depolarization. What is the correct
response?
"The U wave."
"The P wave."
"The QRS complex."
"The T wave." - CORRECT ANSWERS "The QRS complex."
The P wave represents depolarization of the atria. The QRS complex indicates depolarization of
the ventricles. The T wave represents repolarization of the ventricles. The U wave, if present,
may represent repolarization of the Purkinje fiber, or it may be associated with hypokalemia.
A patient with chest pain arrives in the emergency department. The staff hurries to perform a 12-
lead electrocardiogram (ECG). The patient appears anxious and asks, "Why are all of these wires
being hooked up to me?" Which of the following would be the best response by the nurse?
"The electrocardiogram wires will monitor your vital signs so we can see if there are any
changes that require intervention."
"This is an electrocardiogram which will provide information about your heart and help us to
develop the best plan of care for you."
"We will be performing several tests to see which medications are best for you."
"We are implementing this test to take the very best care of you. You shouldn't worry." -
CORRECT ANSWERS "This is an electrocardiogram which will provide information
about your heart and help us to develop the best plan of care for you."
, The best response provides accurate information that addresses the patient's question. Telling the
patient not to worry is nontherapeutic. Telling the patient there will be several tests may increase
the patient's anxiety and does not answer the patient's question. The ECG will provide only the
heart rate, not all vital signs; the purpose is not for monitoring vital signs, but the electrical
conduction of the heart.
The ECG machine is reading "ERROR—Check lead placement." Which of the following
requires correction?
V2 at fifth intercostal space midclavicular line.
V5 at left anterior axillary line at level of V4 horizontally.
V6 at left midaxillary line at level of V4 horizontally.
V1 at fourth intercostal space at right sternal angle. - CORRECT ANSWERS V2 at fifth
intercostal space midclavicular line.
V4, not V2, is located at the fifth intercostal space at midclavicular line. Correct lead placement
on the chest for a 12 lead electrocardiogram is V1, fourth intercostal space at right sternal angle;
V2, fourth intercostal space at left sternal border; V3, midway between V2 and V4; V4, Fifth
intercostal space at midclavicular line; V5, left anterior axillary line at level of V4 horizontally;
V6, left midaxillary line at level of V4 horizontally.
The nurse is applying continuous electronic monitoring using a five-lead system. Which of the
following describes correct lead placement?
White on right arm, brown on left arm, green on left leg, red on right leg, black on chest at V
lead location.
Black on right arm, red on right leg, white on left arm, green on left leg, brown on chest at a V
lead location.
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
The nurse shows the student a patient's normal sinus rhythm on the cardiac monitor. The nurse
asks the student which waveform represents ventricular depolarization. What is the correct
response?
"The U wave."
"The P wave."
"The QRS complex."
"The T wave." - CORRECT ANSWERS "The QRS complex."
The P wave represents depolarization of the atria. The QRS complex indicates depolarization of
the ventricles. The T wave represents repolarization of the ventricles. The U wave, if present,
may represent repolarization of the Purkinje fiber, or it may be associated with hypokalemia.
A patient with chest pain arrives in the emergency department. The staff hurries to perform a 12-
lead electrocardiogram (ECG). The patient appears anxious and asks, "Why are all of these wires
being hooked up to me?" Which of the following would be the best response by the nurse?
"The electrocardiogram wires will monitor your vital signs so we can see if there are any
changes that require intervention."
"This is an electrocardiogram which will provide information about your heart and help us to
develop the best plan of care for you."
"We will be performing several tests to see which medications are best for you."
"We are implementing this test to take the very best care of you. You shouldn't worry." -
CORRECT ANSWERS "This is an electrocardiogram which will provide information
about your heart and help us to develop the best plan of care for you."
, The best response provides accurate information that addresses the patient's question. Telling the
patient not to worry is nontherapeutic. Telling the patient there will be several tests may increase
the patient's anxiety and does not answer the patient's question. The ECG will provide only the
heart rate, not all vital signs; the purpose is not for monitoring vital signs, but the electrical
conduction of the heart.
The ECG machine is reading "ERROR—Check lead placement." Which of the following
requires correction?
V2 at fifth intercostal space midclavicular line.
V5 at left anterior axillary line at level of V4 horizontally.
V6 at left midaxillary line at level of V4 horizontally.
V1 at fourth intercostal space at right sternal angle. - CORRECT ANSWERS V2 at fifth
intercostal space midclavicular line.
V4, not V2, is located at the fifth intercostal space at midclavicular line. Correct lead placement
on the chest for a 12 lead electrocardiogram is V1, fourth intercostal space at right sternal angle;
V2, fourth intercostal space at left sternal border; V3, midway between V2 and V4; V4, Fifth
intercostal space at midclavicular line; V5, left anterior axillary line at level of V4 horizontally;
V6, left midaxillary line at level of V4 horizontally.
The nurse is applying continuous electronic monitoring using a five-lead system. Which of the
following describes correct lead placement?
White on right arm, brown on left arm, green on left leg, red on right leg, black on chest at V
lead location.
Black on right arm, red on right leg, white on left arm, green on left leg, brown on chest at a V
lead location.
