NHA EKG Technician study plan

Label the four chambers, four valves, great vessels, and major coronary arteries on a blank heart diagram from memory

Trace the impulse pathway from the SA node through the internodal tracts, AV node, bundle of His, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers

Explain how each phase of the cardiac cycle corresponds to electrical and mechanical events

Define depolarization and repolarization and state which ion movements drive each phase of the myocardial action potential

Measure PR, QRS, and QT intervals on 10 practice strips using the small-box method and state the normal range for each

Calculate heart rate on 10 strips using both the 1500 method and the 6-second method

Identify the P wave, QRS complex, T wave, ST segment, and U wave and name the lead that best displays each

Set paper speed to 25 mm/s and standardization to 10 mm/mV and explain what each setting controls

Position the four limb leads and precordial leads V1 through V6 at the correct anatomical landmarks on a partner or manikin

Explain what view of the heart each precordial lead provides and why lead placement errors change the tracing

Perform proper skin preparation and electrode application to reduce artifact

Identify and correct somatic tremor, AC interference, baseline wander, and loose-electrode artifact on sample tracings

Apply a five-step interpretation method (rate, regularity, P waves, PR interval, QRS width) to every strip encountered

Differentiate normal sinus rhythm, sinus bradycardia, and sinus tachycardia across 12 strips

Troubleshoot three technical problems that mimic arrhythmia: reversed arm leads, misplaced V1/V2, and a loose electrode

Document findings using a standardized rate, rhythm, and interval reporting format

Identify atrial premature complexes, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, and supraventricular tachycardia and describe the defining strip features of each

Distinguish junctional rhythms from sinus rhythms using P-wave morphology, rate, and P-to-QRS relationship

Compare atrial rhythms by rate, regularity, and P-wave presentation in a structured comparison table

Write a complete report entry for each rhythm using the standard rate, rhythm, and interval format

Differentiate first-degree, second-degree type I, second-degree type II, and third-degree AV block by PR interval and dropped beats

Identify premature ventricular complexes, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and idioventricular rhythm on strips

Recognize lethal rhythms that require immediate escalation and state the reporting action an EKG technician takes

Measure and record intervals on ventricular rhythms where measurement is possible

List the standard precautions and transmission-based precautions that apply during an EKG procedure

Describe cleaning and disinfection steps for the machine, cables, and reusable electrodes between patients

Identify the patient-identification, privacy, and consent steps completed before recording a tracing

Describe technique modifications for pediatric, older adult, and mobility-impaired patients

Re-interpret ten strips missed on earlier quizzes and write the correct rationale for each

Complete two full-length timed practice exams covering all four domains and score 85% or higher on each

Write the correct rationale for every missed item and group misses by domain

Re-demonstrate the 12-lead setup and a five-rhythm rapid-read drill under time pressure

State the final weak-area list and the specific review actions to take before test day