CERTIFIED EKG TECHNICIAN NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS/NEWEST UPDATE
Question 1
Which extremity is shared as a recording point by both Lead I and Lead aVL?
A) Right Arm
B) Left Arm
C) Right Leg
D) Left Leg
E) Mid-clavicular torso
Correct Answer: B) LEFT ARM
Rationale: Lead I measures the electrical potential between the right arm and the left arm.
Lead aVL is an augmented limb lead that uses the left arm as its positive pole. Therefore,
the left arm is the common extremity for both.
Question 2
The standard limb leads (I, II, and III) are designed to measure the flow of electrical currents in
how many directions?
A) One direction
B) Two directions
C) Three directions
D) Circular motion
E) Vertical only
Correct Answer: B) 2 direction
Rationale: Standard limb leads are bipolar leads, meaning they measure the difference in
electrical potential between two specific electrodes (a positive and a negative pole).
Question 3
Which limb lead acts as the "ground" for the EKG and what is its designated color?
A) Left Leg, Red
B) Right Arm, White
C) Right Leg, Green
D) Left Arm, Black
E) V1, Brown
Correct Answer: C) Right Leg and Green
Rationale: The Right Leg (RL) electrode is the ground lead. Its purpose is to reduce
electrical interference (AC interference) from the environment. In the standard color-
coding system, the RL lead is green.
Question 4
Which specific leads form the basis of Einthoven's Triangle?
A) aVR, aVL, aVF
B) V1, V2, V3
, 2
C) I, II, III
D) V4, V5, V6
E) Lead II, aVF, and V1
Correct Answer: C) I, II, III
Rationale: Einthoven's Triangle is a geometric representation of the three bipolar limb leads
(I, II, and III) used in electrocardiography to determine the electrical axis of the heart.
Question 5
A technician notices jagged peaks and an irregular baseline on an EKG tracing while the patient
is shivering. This is likely due to:
A) Wandering baseline
B) AC interference
) Somatic tremors
D) Broken lead wires
E) Electrical phone usage
Correct Answer: C) MUSCLE MOVEMENT
Rationale: Somatic tremors are artifacts caused by voluntary or involuntary muscle
movement, such as shivering, tension, or conditions like Parkinson's disease.
Question 6
When a patient is wearing a Holter monitor, which of the following is true regarding cardiac
symptoms?
A) Symptoms only occur during heavy exercise.
B) It is common to have symptoms not related to physical activity.
C) The monitor will stop recording if the patient sits down.
D) The patient should avoid pressing any buttons.
E) Symptoms are usually ignored by the provider.
Correct Answer: B) When wearing a holter it is common to have cardiac symptoms not
related to activity
Rationale: Holter monitoring is designed to capture arrhythmias that occur during the
patient's normal daily routine, which includes periods of rest, sleep, and non-strenuous
activity.
Question 7
What is the absolute first step a technician should take when using an Automated External
Defibrillator (AED)?
A) Apply the pads
B) Check for a pulse
C) Turn it on
D) Plug in the connector
E) Press the "Shock" button
, 3
Correct Answer: C) Turn it on
Rationale: Modern AEDs provide step-by-step voice prompts to guide the rescuer. Turning
the device on is the first step required to initiate these instructions.
Question 8
If a patient is using a mobile phone during an EKG, what type of interference is most likely to
appear on the tracing?
A) Somatic tremor
B) Wandering baseline
C) AC or 60-cycle interference
D) Interrupted baseline
E) P-wave inversion
Correct Answer: C) A/C or 60 cycle or electric
Rationale: Electronic devices, including mobile phones and medical equipment, can cause
electromagnetic interference, appearing as small, consistent, thick spikes (60-cycle/AC
interference) on the EKG.
Question 9
In a clinical setting, which method of taking a temperature is considered the most accurate
representation of core body temperature?
A) Axillary
B) Oral
C) Temporal
D) Rectally
E) Tympanic
Correct Answer: D) rectally
Rationale: Rectal temperatures provide the most accurate reading of the body's internal
core temperature compared to surface-level or peripheral measurements.
Question 10
During a cardiac stress test, the patient reports chest pain and the technician observes ST-
segment changes. What is the priority action?
A) Increase the treadmill speed
B) Re-prep the electrodes
C) Notify the provider immediately
D) Tell the patient to keep going
E) Change the gain setting
Correct Answer: C) Notify provider
Rationale: Any report of cardiac symptoms (chest pain, shortness of breath) or significant
EKG changes during a stress test requires immediate notification of the overseeing
physician/provider to ensure patient safety.
DETAILED ANSWERS/NEWEST UPDATE
Question 1
Which extremity is shared as a recording point by both Lead I and Lead aVL?
A) Right Arm
B) Left Arm
C) Right Leg
D) Left Leg
E) Mid-clavicular torso
Correct Answer: B) LEFT ARM
Rationale: Lead I measures the electrical potential between the right arm and the left arm.
Lead aVL is an augmented limb lead that uses the left arm as its positive pole. Therefore,
the left arm is the common extremity for both.
Question 2
The standard limb leads (I, II, and III) are designed to measure the flow of electrical currents in
how many directions?
A) One direction
B) Two directions
C) Three directions
D) Circular motion
E) Vertical only
Correct Answer: B) 2 direction
Rationale: Standard limb leads are bipolar leads, meaning they measure the difference in
electrical potential between two specific electrodes (a positive and a negative pole).
Question 3
Which limb lead acts as the "ground" for the EKG and what is its designated color?
A) Left Leg, Red
B) Right Arm, White
C) Right Leg, Green
D) Left Arm, Black
E) V1, Brown
Correct Answer: C) Right Leg and Green
Rationale: The Right Leg (RL) electrode is the ground lead. Its purpose is to reduce
electrical interference (AC interference) from the environment. In the standard color-
coding system, the RL lead is green.
Question 4
Which specific leads form the basis of Einthoven's Triangle?
A) aVR, aVL, aVF
B) V1, V2, V3
, 2
C) I, II, III
D) V4, V5, V6
E) Lead II, aVF, and V1
Correct Answer: C) I, II, III
Rationale: Einthoven's Triangle is a geometric representation of the three bipolar limb leads
(I, II, and III) used in electrocardiography to determine the electrical axis of the heart.
Question 5
A technician notices jagged peaks and an irregular baseline on an EKG tracing while the patient
is shivering. This is likely due to:
A) Wandering baseline
B) AC interference
) Somatic tremors
D) Broken lead wires
E) Electrical phone usage
Correct Answer: C) MUSCLE MOVEMENT
Rationale: Somatic tremors are artifacts caused by voluntary or involuntary muscle
movement, such as shivering, tension, or conditions like Parkinson's disease.
Question 6
When a patient is wearing a Holter monitor, which of the following is true regarding cardiac
symptoms?
A) Symptoms only occur during heavy exercise.
B) It is common to have symptoms not related to physical activity.
C) The monitor will stop recording if the patient sits down.
D) The patient should avoid pressing any buttons.
E) Symptoms are usually ignored by the provider.
Correct Answer: B) When wearing a holter it is common to have cardiac symptoms not
related to activity
Rationale: Holter monitoring is designed to capture arrhythmias that occur during the
patient's normal daily routine, which includes periods of rest, sleep, and non-strenuous
activity.
Question 7
What is the absolute first step a technician should take when using an Automated External
Defibrillator (AED)?
A) Apply the pads
B) Check for a pulse
C) Turn it on
D) Plug in the connector
E) Press the "Shock" button
, 3
Correct Answer: C) Turn it on
Rationale: Modern AEDs provide step-by-step voice prompts to guide the rescuer. Turning
the device on is the first step required to initiate these instructions.
Question 8
If a patient is using a mobile phone during an EKG, what type of interference is most likely to
appear on the tracing?
A) Somatic tremor
B) Wandering baseline
C) AC or 60-cycle interference
D) Interrupted baseline
E) P-wave inversion
Correct Answer: C) A/C or 60 cycle or electric
Rationale: Electronic devices, including mobile phones and medical equipment, can cause
electromagnetic interference, appearing as small, consistent, thick spikes (60-cycle/AC
interference) on the EKG.
Question 9
In a clinical setting, which method of taking a temperature is considered the most accurate
representation of core body temperature?
A) Axillary
B) Oral
C) Temporal
D) Rectally
E) Tympanic
Correct Answer: D) rectally
Rationale: Rectal temperatures provide the most accurate reading of the body's internal
core temperature compared to surface-level or peripheral measurements.
Question 10
During a cardiac stress test, the patient reports chest pain and the technician observes ST-
segment changes. What is the priority action?
A) Increase the treadmill speed
B) Re-prep the electrodes
C) Notify the provider immediately
D) Tell the patient to keep going
E) Change the gain setting
Correct Answer: C) Notify provider
Rationale: Any report of cardiac symptoms (chest pain, shortness of breath) or significant
EKG changes during a stress test requires immediate notification of the overseeing
physician/provider to ensure patient safety.
