BayCare EKG Test Prep 2026 Questions and
Answers | ECG Interpretation Study Guide
with Correct Solutions, Cardiac Rhythms,
Cardiology Basics & Clinical Skills Success
• This BayCare EKG Test Prep 2026 guide contains 200 exam-style multiple-choice
questions covering all core ECG and cardiology competencies tested in the BayCare
assessment.
• Each question features five clearly labeled options (A–E), a bolded correct answer,
and a concise EXPERT RATIONALE — designed for efficient, self-directed study and
rapid mastery.
1. What is the normal duration of the PR interval?
A. 0.04–0.08 seconds
B. 0.06–0.10 seconds
C. 0.12–0.20 seconds
D. 0.22–0.28 seconds
E. 0.30–0.40 seconds
Correct Answer: C. 0.12–0.20 seconds
EXPERT RATIONALE: The normal PR interval ranges from 0.12 to 0.20 seconds (3–5
small boxes on ECG paper). It represents the time for impulse conduction from the
SA node through the AV node to the ventricles.
2. Which structure is known as the primary pacemaker of the heart?
A. AV node
B. Bundle of His
C. Purkinje fibers
D. SA node
,E. Bundle branches
Correct Answer: D. SA node
EXPERT RATIONALE: The sinoatrial (SA) node generates impulses at 60–100 beats
per minute and is the dominant pacemaker of the heart under normal conditions.
3. What is the normal QRS duration?
A. 0.04–0.06 seconds
B. 0.06–0.08 seconds
C. 0.08–0.10 seconds
D. 0.06–0.10 seconds
E. 0.12–0.20 seconds
Correct Answer: D. 0.06–0.10 seconds
EXPERT RATIONALE: A normal QRS complex is 0.06–0.10 seconds. A duration
greater than 0.12 seconds suggests a bundle branch block or ventricular
conduction abnormality.
4. On standard ECG paper, each small box represents how many seconds?
A. 0.01 seconds
B. 0.02 seconds
C. 0.04 seconds
D. 0.06 seconds
E. 0.10 seconds
Correct Answer: C. 0.04 seconds
,EXPERT RATIONALE: Standard ECG paper runs at 25 mm/second. Each small box is
1 mm wide and represents 0.04 seconds. Five small boxes equal one large box,
which represents 0.20 seconds.
5. What does the P wave represent on the ECG?
A. Ventricular depolarization
B. Atrial repolarization
C. Atrial depolarization
D. Ventricular repolarization
E. AV node conduction
Correct Answer: C. Atrial depolarization
EXPERT RATIONALE: The P wave represents the electrical depolarization of the
atria, which triggers atrial contraction. It precedes the QRS complex in a normal
sinus rhythm.
6. What does the QRS complex represent?
A. Atrial depolarization
B. Ventricular repolarization
C. SA node firing
D. Ventricular depolarization
E. Atrial repolarization
Correct Answer: D. Ventricular depolarization
EXPERT RATIONALE: The QRS complex reflects the spread of electrical impulse
through the ventricular myocardium, causing ventricular contraction (systole).
, 7. What does the T wave represent?
A. Atrial depolarization
B. Ventricular depolarization
C. AV node conduction delay
D. Ventricular repolarization
E. Purkinje fiber activation
Correct Answer: D. Ventricular repolarization
EXPERT RATIONALE: The T wave represents ventricular repolarization — the
recovery phase of the ventricles following contraction. It is normally upright in most
leads.
8. The heart rate is 300 divided by which of the following to calculate rate
from an ECG?
A. Number of small boxes between R waves
B. Number of P waves in 6 seconds
C. Number of large boxes between R waves
D. Number of QRS complexes in 10 seconds
E. Duration of the PR interval
Correct Answer: C. Number of large boxes between R waves
EXPERT RATIONALE: The 300 method divides 300 by the number of large boxes
between two consecutive R waves to estimate heart rate. Each large box = 0.20
seconds.
9. Normal sinus rhythm has a heart rate of:
A. 40–59 bpm
Answers | ECG Interpretation Study Guide
with Correct Solutions, Cardiac Rhythms,
Cardiology Basics & Clinical Skills Success
• This BayCare EKG Test Prep 2026 guide contains 200 exam-style multiple-choice
questions covering all core ECG and cardiology competencies tested in the BayCare
assessment.
• Each question features five clearly labeled options (A–E), a bolded correct answer,
and a concise EXPERT RATIONALE — designed for efficient, self-directed study and
rapid mastery.
1. What is the normal duration of the PR interval?
A. 0.04–0.08 seconds
B. 0.06–0.10 seconds
C. 0.12–0.20 seconds
D. 0.22–0.28 seconds
E. 0.30–0.40 seconds
Correct Answer: C. 0.12–0.20 seconds
EXPERT RATIONALE: The normal PR interval ranges from 0.12 to 0.20 seconds (3–5
small boxes on ECG paper). It represents the time for impulse conduction from the
SA node through the AV node to the ventricles.
2. Which structure is known as the primary pacemaker of the heart?
A. AV node
B. Bundle of His
C. Purkinje fibers
D. SA node
,E. Bundle branches
Correct Answer: D. SA node
EXPERT RATIONALE: The sinoatrial (SA) node generates impulses at 60–100 beats
per minute and is the dominant pacemaker of the heart under normal conditions.
3. What is the normal QRS duration?
A. 0.04–0.06 seconds
B. 0.06–0.08 seconds
C. 0.08–0.10 seconds
D. 0.06–0.10 seconds
E. 0.12–0.20 seconds
Correct Answer: D. 0.06–0.10 seconds
EXPERT RATIONALE: A normal QRS complex is 0.06–0.10 seconds. A duration
greater than 0.12 seconds suggests a bundle branch block or ventricular
conduction abnormality.
4. On standard ECG paper, each small box represents how many seconds?
A. 0.01 seconds
B. 0.02 seconds
C. 0.04 seconds
D. 0.06 seconds
E. 0.10 seconds
Correct Answer: C. 0.04 seconds
,EXPERT RATIONALE: Standard ECG paper runs at 25 mm/second. Each small box is
1 mm wide and represents 0.04 seconds. Five small boxes equal one large box,
which represents 0.20 seconds.
5. What does the P wave represent on the ECG?
A. Ventricular depolarization
B. Atrial repolarization
C. Atrial depolarization
D. Ventricular repolarization
E. AV node conduction
Correct Answer: C. Atrial depolarization
EXPERT RATIONALE: The P wave represents the electrical depolarization of the
atria, which triggers atrial contraction. It precedes the QRS complex in a normal
sinus rhythm.
6. What does the QRS complex represent?
A. Atrial depolarization
B. Ventricular repolarization
C. SA node firing
D. Ventricular depolarization
E. Atrial repolarization
Correct Answer: D. Ventricular depolarization
EXPERT RATIONALE: The QRS complex reflects the spread of electrical impulse
through the ventricular myocardium, causing ventricular contraction (systole).
, 7. What does the T wave represent?
A. Atrial depolarization
B. Ventricular depolarization
C. AV node conduction delay
D. Ventricular repolarization
E. Purkinje fiber activation
Correct Answer: D. Ventricular repolarization
EXPERT RATIONALE: The T wave represents ventricular repolarization — the
recovery phase of the ventricles following contraction. It is normally upright in most
leads.
8. The heart rate is 300 divided by which of the following to calculate rate
from an ECG?
A. Number of small boxes between R waves
B. Number of P waves in 6 seconds
C. Number of large boxes between R waves
D. Number of QRS complexes in 10 seconds
E. Duration of the PR interval
Correct Answer: C. Number of large boxes between R waves
EXPERT RATIONALE: The 300 method divides 300 by the number of large boxes
between two consecutive R waves to estimate heart rate. Each large box = 0.20
seconds.
9. Normal sinus rhythm has a heart rate of:
A. 40–59 bpm
