Certified EkG technician (CET) Practice Exam

What is a likely suspicion if an EKG technician observes ST segment depression and T wave inversion across multiple leads?

1. Myocardial infarction

2. Myocardial ischemia

3. Cardiac arrest

4. Atrial flutter

The correct answer is: Myocardial ischemia

The observation of ST segment depression and T wave inversion across multiple leads indicates a likely suspicion of myocardial ischemia. This condition occurs when there is insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle, which can result from various factors such as narrowed coronary arteries or increased oxygen demand. When ischemia is present, the electrical activity of the heart is affected, leading to characteristic changes in the EKG. ST segment depression typically signifies that the heart muscle is not receiving enough oxygen during periods of stress or exertion. Additionally, T wave inversion can occur as a result of alterations in repolarization processes in the myocardial cells due to this inadequate blood supply. In contrast, while a myocardial infarction (which is a heart attack) can present similar EKG changes, it is more specifically characterized by ST segment elevation rather than depression. Cardiac arrest refers to the cessation of effective heart function and would present with a different set of EKG findings. Atrial flutter, while it affects heart rhythm, generally does not produce the specific signs of ST segment depression and T wave inversion indicative of ischemic changes. Thus, the combination of ST segment depression and T wave inversion across multiple leads strongly points to myocardial ischemia as the underlying condition.