I85PREP
⌘ K
AMCA ETC study materials
AMCA ETC study resources

AMCA ETC study plan

AMCA ETC · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Medical Terminology, Anatomy, and Physiology of the Cardiovascular System & Rhythm Recognition and Basic EKG Interpretation

  • Label the chambers, valves, and great vessels on a blank heart diagram from memory

  • Trace the path of blood through pulmonary and systemic circulation in writing

  • Define 40 core cardiovascular terms (e.g., systole, diastole, ischemia, infarction) with correct spelling

  • Identify the components of the cardiac conduction system and state the order of depolarization

Your checkpoint

A hand-drawn, fully labeled heart and conduction-system diagram plus a 40-term glossary scored at 90% or better on self-quiz

Week 2

Medical Terminology, Anatomy, and Physiology of the Cardiovascular System & Rhythm Recognition and Basic EKG Interpretation

  • Describe what each wave and interval on a normal EKG represents physiologically

  • Relate the cardiac cycle phases to electrical events on the tracing

  • Explain the effect of the autonomic nervous system on rate and conduction

  • Match 15 common cardiac abbreviations and terms to their definitions

Your checkpoint

A one-page annotated normal EKG tracing mapping each wave/interval to its physiologic event, plus a completed terminology matching quiz

Week 3

EKG Equipment, Lead Placement, and Artifact Recognition

  • Demonstrate correct placement of the 10 precordial and limb leads and state the view each lead provides

  • Describe proper skin preparation and electrode application steps

  • Distinguish somatic tremor, baseline wander, AC interference, and loose-lead artifact by their tracings

  • List at least three corrective actions for each common artifact type

Your checkpoint

A lead-placement checklist with a labeled 12-lead map and an artifact troubleshooting table (4 artifact types x 3 corrections)

Week 4

EKG Equipment, Lead Placement, and Artifact Recognition & Rhythm Recognition and Basic EKG Interpretation

  • Set and verify standard calibration (25 mm/s, 10 mm/mV) and identify when to adjust it

  • Calculate rate from both the 6-second method and the R-R interval method

  • Measure PR, QRS, and QT intervals on practice tracings and compare to normal ranges

  • Determine rhythm regularity and identify the P-wave axis relationship

Your checkpoint

A worksheet of 10 practice tracings with rate, rhythm regularity, and interval measurements documented for each

Week 5

Rhythm Recognition and Basic EKG Interpretation

  • Recognize sinus rhythms, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter by their defining features

  • Identify junctional and ventricular rhythms and distinguish them from sinus origin

  • Detect first-, second-, and third-degree AV blocks on tracings

  • Classify rhythms as bradycardic, normal, or tachycardic with correct rate thresholds

Your checkpoint

A rhythm-identification log of 20 tracings with correct classification and a written rationale for each

Week 6

Rhythm Recognition and Basic EKG Interpretation & Cardiac Testing, Monitoring, and Emergency Response

  • Recognize life-threatening rhythms (V-fib, V-tach, asystole, PEA) and state immediate actions

  • Differentiate artifact from true lethal rhythms before escalating

  • Describe indications for Holter, event, and stress testing and the technician's role in each

  • Explain continuous monitoring workflow including alarm response and documentation

Your checkpoint

A lethal-rhythm recognition card (4 rhythms with features and immediate actions) plus a comparison table of 3 cardiac tests with technician responsibilities

Week 7

EKG Technician Role, Safety, and Patient Care & Cardiac Testing, Monitoring, and Emergency Response

  • Apply standard precautions, hand hygiene, and infection-control steps during an EKG encounter

  • Demonstrate patient identification, privacy, and informed-consent communication steps

  • Describe the emergency response chain for a code, including CPR role and defibrillator readiness

  • Identify safety considerations for electrode use, cables, and patient positioning

Your checkpoint

A step-by-step safety and patient-care procedure script covering setup through emergency escalation, validated against a self-checklist

Week 8

EKG Technician Role, Safety, and Patient Care & Medical Terminology, Anatomy, and Physiology of the Cardiovascular System & EKG Equipment, Lead Placement, and Artifact Recognition & Rhythm Recognition and Basic EKG Interpretation & Cardiac Testing, Monitoring, and Emergency Response

  • Complete a timed 100-question mixed-domain practice exam

  • Review every missed item and write the correct concept for each

  • Re-measure weak areas and target the two lowest-scoring domains

  • Recite the full EKG procedure sequence from patient greeting to documentation

Your checkpoint

A timed practice exam score report with a written remediation list and a final full-procedure walkthrough

Milestones

Week 2: Score 90% or better on a 30-item anatomy/terminology self-quiz and correctly annotate a normal EKG from memory

Week 4: Accurately place all 12 leads on a practice model and identify 4 artifact types with corrections

Week 6: Correctly classify at least 18 of 20 practice tracings and state immediate actions for lethal rhythms

Week 8: Achieve 80% or better on the timed mixed-domain practice exam with a completed remediation list