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EKG and Cardiovascular Testing practice questions for the CCMA exam

EKG and Cardiovascular Testing is 6 of the 150 scored questions (4%) on the CCMA exam, part of Clinical Patient Care (84 questions). Try 5 free questions below; open each one to see the answer, why the other options are wrong and the sources.

Question 1

On a regular rhythm strip recorded at 25 mm/s, the distance between two R waves is 20 small boxes. What is the heart rate?

  1. 60 beats per minute
  2. 75 beats per minute
  3. 80 beats per minute
  4. 100 beats per minute
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. 75 beats per minute

At 25 mm/s the paper moves 1,500 small boxes per minute. 1,500 ÷ 20 = 75 beats per minute.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. 60 beats per minute: 60 bpm would need an R-R distance of 25 small boxes (1 second).
  • C. 80 beats per minute: 80 bpm would need about 18.75 small boxes between R waves.
  • D. 100 beats per minute: 100 bpm would need an R-R distance of 15 small boxes.

Sources

Question 2

Why should the MA confirm that a calibration mark appears on every EKG tracing?

  1. It records the time the tracing was taken
  2. It shows how tall 1 mV is on the tracing
  3. It proves the electrodes are on the correct limbs
  4. It replaces the need to check the paper speed
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. It shows how tall 1 mV is on the tracing

The calibration mark shows the sensitivity setting. Without it, or with a wrong mark, wave heights cannot be measured reliably.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. It records the time the tracing was taken: The time is part of the patient data printed on the report, not the calibration mark.
  • C. It proves the electrodes are on the correct limbs: Lead placement is checked with the waveforms and labels, not the calibration mark.
  • D. It replaces the need to check the paper speed: Paper speed is a separate setting that must still be checked.

Sources

Question 3

A male patient has thick chest hair where several chest electrodes must go. What is the best way to get good electrode contact?

  1. Shift the electrodes to the nearest hairless skin
  2. Place the electrodes on top of the hair and tape the wires
  3. Apply conductive gel to the hair before placing electrodes
  4. With consent, clip or shave the hair at the sites
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. With consent, clip or shave the hair at the sites

Excess hair at electrode sites is removed with the patient's consent so the electrodes stick to the skin. The electrodes stay at their correct landmarks.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Shift the electrodes to the nearest hairless skin: Moving electrodes off their landmarks changes the recording.
  • B. Place the electrodes on top of the hair and tape the wires: Hair under the electrode keeps it from touching the skin; taping the wire does not fix this.
  • C. Apply conductive gel to the hair before placing electrodes: Gel on hair does not create firm skin contact and can spread across sites.

Sources

Question 4

At standard sensitivity (10 mm = 1 mV), how much voltage does one small box (1 mm) represent vertically?

  1. 0.01 mV
  2. 0.1 mV
  3. 0.5 mV
  4. 1.0 mV
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. 0.1 mV

If 10 mm equals 1 mV, then 1 mm equals 1 / 10 = 0.1 mV.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. 0.01 mV: 0.01 mV would be 1/100 of the mark.
  • C. 0.5 mV: 0.5 mV is 5 mm, half the mark.
  • D. 1.0 mV: 1.0 mV is the full 10 mm calibration mark.

Sources

Question 5

A healthy 10-year-old's heart rate speeds up slightly when he breathes in and slows when he breathes out. How should the MA view this finding?

  1. As a sign of first-degree AV block
  2. As an emergency needing the provider now
  3. As a common normal variant
  4. As artifact from a loose electrode
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. As a common normal variant

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia, a rate that rises on inspiration and falls on expiration, is normal and especially common in children and adolescents.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. As a sign of first-degree AV block: First-degree AV block is a long PR interval, not a breathing-related rate change.
  • B. As an emergency needing the provider now: This normal variant is not an emergency.
  • D. As artifact from a loose electrode: A loose electrode causes jumps or a missing signal, not a regular breathing pattern.

Sources

Cheat sheets for this topic

EKG and Cardiovascular Testing terms

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