Certified EkG technician (CET) Practice Exam

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Study for the Certified EKG Technician Exam. Access multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Enhance your preparation and boost your confidence for the exam!

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What might need to be adjusted if a patient has a significantly high heart rate during EKG monitoring?

Electrode placement
Speed of the EKG machine
Type of leads used
Patient's position

The correct answer is: Speed of the EKG machine

In the context of EKG monitoring, if a patient presents with a significantly high heart rate, one important adjustment may be to change the speed of the EKG machine. This is typically done to ensure that the EKG tracings can accurately represent the electrical activity of the heart. A high heart rate can lead to closely spaced R-R intervals, and if the EKG paper speed is set too slow (usually 25 mm/sec), the waveforms may become compressed and difficult to read. Increasing the speed (to, for example, 50 mm/sec or more) allows for better visualization of the rapid rhythms, making it easier to interpret the underlying cardiac activity and any potential arrhythmias. While other factors like electrode placement, type of leads used, and the patient's position can influence the quality of the EKG, they do not specifically address the issue of reading a high heart rate effectively. Proper management of the speed ensures that the clinician can accurately assess the rhythm and make appropriate decisions based on the EKG findings.