6 Second ECG Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. Which description should raise concern for a regular wide-complex tachycardia and prompt expert evaluation rather than reliance on a quiz?
A rapid narrow-complex rhythm with a visible P wave before every QRS
A rapid regular rhythm with QRS complexes at least 0.12 seconds wide
A slow regular rhythm with narrow QRS complexes
One early narrow QRS followed by a pause
2. Which observation best demonstrates 1:1 atrioventricular conduction on a text-described strip?
Every P wave is followed by a QRS, and every QRS is preceded by a P wave
The QRS complexes are narrow, but P waves occur at a different rate
Several P waves appear between each pair of QRS complexes
No consistent relationship exists between P waves and QRS complexes
3. You count nine QRS complexes across a marked six-second interval. What is the estimated ventricular rate?
90 beats per minute
81 beats per minute
100 beats per minute
54 beats per minute
4. A six-second sample contains five QRS complexes. What rate should be documented as the six-second estimate?
50 beats per minute
30 beats per minute
60 beats per minute
75 beats per minute
5. On a markedly irregular rhythm, what does the six-second calculation best represent?
The exact rate of every individual cardiac cycle
An estimate of the average ventricular rate during that sample
The atrial rate, regardless of which waves were counted
The longest R–R interval converted into a rate
6. Someone has chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or fainting while an ECG rhythm is being checked. What is the appropriate response?
Repeat the quiz until the knowledge score improves
Wait for a full six-second count before deciding whether help is needed
Seek urgent medical help rather than relying on the quiz or rate estimate
Use a normal-looking rate estimate to rule out an emergency
7. During an ECG recording, the baseline becomes jagged whenever the patient shivers, but the QRS complexes continue at steady intervals. What is the best explanation?
Atrial fibrillation has definitely begun
The ventricular rate has become completely irregular
The paper speed has automatically doubled
Muscle or movement artifact is distorting the baseline
8. A QRS complex spans two small boxes at a paper speed of 25 mm/s. How should it be described?
It is 0.20 seconds and widened
It is 0.12 seconds and widened
It is 0.08 seconds and narrow
It is 0.40 seconds and narrow
9. At 25 mm/s, a PR interval spans four small boxes. Which interpretation is correct?
It measures 0.40 seconds and is longer than the typical reference range
It measures 0.08 seconds and is shorter than the typical reference range
It measures 0.16 seconds, within the typical adult reference range of 0.12–0.20 seconds
It measures 0.80 seconds and represents one complete cardiac cycle
10. A six-second strip contains seven regularly timed QRS complexes plus one premature QRS. How should the six-second method estimate the average ventricular rate for that sample?
Exclude the premature complex and report 70 beats per minute
Count all eight QRS complexes and report 80 beats per minute
Count only the premature complex and report 10 beats per minute
Use the seven regular complexes and report 140 beats per minute
11. At the standard paper speed of 25 mm/s, how many large boxes represent six seconds?
15 large boxes
150 large boxes
60 large boxes
30 large boxes
12. What is the standard six-second method for estimating ventricular heart rate from an ECG strip?
Count the small boxes between two R waves and divide 300 by that number
Divide 300 by the number of QRS complexes in six seconds
Count the P waves in six seconds and multiply by 6
Count the QRS complexes in six seconds and multiply by 10
13. A regular rhythm has 2.5 large boxes between consecutive R waves. Using the 300 method, what is the approximate rate?
75 beats per minute
100 beats per minute
120 beats per minute
150 beats per minute
14. Which ECG description is classically associated with atrial fibrillation?
A regular rhythm with one identical P wave before every QRS
A regular rhythm with repeated sawtooth atrial activity
A slow rhythm with P waves and QRS complexes occurring independently
Irregularly irregular R–R intervals without consistent, distinct P waves
15. In standard adult resting-rate terminology, a ventricular rate below 60 beats per minute is called what?
Atrial flutter
Bradycardia
Tachycardia
Sinus arrhythmia
16. A six-second strip contains seven complete QRS complexes. What ventricular rate does the six-second method estimate?
70 beats per minute
60 beats per minute
42 beats per minute
105 beats per minute