Free Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1Before a stress test, which information in the physician's order should the technician verify to plan the procedure?

   1. A. The ordered protocol and stated patient limitations
   2. B. The protocol normally used for that appointment slot
   3. C. The protocol the patient recalls from a prior visit
   4. D. The protocol printed on an older test report

   Answer: A

   Explanation: CCI lists "Verify physician’s orders (e.g., protocol, patient limitations)" as a pre-procedural task. The ordered protocol and limitations directly guide preparation for this test.

   Reference: CCI CCT exam page — Examination Matrix and Task List, A. Conducting Pre-Procedural Activities

2. 2At the right sternal border, which intercostal space receives V1 in a conventional 12-lead ECG?

   1. A. Fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border
   2. B. Fourth intercostal space at the left sternal border
   3. C. Fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
   4. D. Left midaxillary line level with V4

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Philips places V1 "on the 4th intercostal space at the right sternal border." The other locations correspond to different precordial electrodes.

   Reference: 12-Lead ECG — 12-Lead ECG Electrode Placement, Table 1, V1 row

3. 3A CCT calculates an adult frontal QRS axis. Which value lies within the Philips usual normal interval?

   1. A. Positive 45 degrees
   2. B. Negative 60 degrees
   3. C. Positive 120 degrees
   4. D. Negative 120 degrees

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Philips states, "A frontal QRS axis between -30º and 90º is considered normal, subject to modification by age and gender." Only +45 degrees lies inside that interval.

   Reference: Philips DXL ECG Algorithm Physician's Guide — Adult Morphology Analysis > QRS Axis Deviation

4. 4In a standard exercise stress test, which two types of equipment supply exercise workload?

   1. A. A treadmill or stationary bicycle
   2. B. An ultrasound probe or camera alone
   3. C. A blood pressure cuff or pulse oximeter alone
   4. D. An ECG printer or lead cable alone

   Answer: A

   Explanation: MedlinePlus says stress testing commonly monitors the heart while the patient exercises "on a treadmill or stationary bicycle." These devices provide the physical workload.

   Reference: Stress Tests: MedlinePlus Medical Test — What are stress tests?

5. 5For symptom-rhythm correlation during Holter recording, which diary entry is complete for a dizziness episode?

   1. A. The symptom time and activity at that time
   2. B. The symptom description without its time
   3. C. The time without the activity at that time
   4. D. The activity without the symptom or time

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The AHA directs patients to "write in your diary the time and what you were doing" when symptoms occur. This lets the recorded rhythm be compared with dizziness at that time.

   Reference: Holter Monitor — What should I expect with the Holter monitor?

6. 6In a normal cardiac rhythm, which structure initiates the electrical impulse for each heartbeat?

   1. A. The atrioventricular node
   2. B. The sinus node
   3. C. The bundle of His
   4. D. The Purkinje fibers

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The AHA states, "The heartbeat (contraction) begins when an electrical impulse from the sinus node (also called SA node) moves through the heart’s muscle tissue." The other structures conduct impulses later in the sequence.

   Reference: What is an Arrhythmia? — Electrical system of the heart

7. 7A technician is matching an ECG order to a patient. Which pair consists of person-specific identifiers?

   1. A. Room number and bed number
   2. B. Patient name and date of birth
   3. C. Room number and patient name
   4. D. Bed number and appointment time

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The Joint Commission identifies "the individual's name, an assigned identification number, telephone number, date of birth or other person-specific identifier." Name and date of birth are person-specific; room and bed numbers identify a location.

   Reference: Two Patient Identifiers - Understanding The Requirements — Intent

8. 8The technician is locating V2 for a conventional 12-lead ECG. Which landmark is correct?

   1. A. Fourth intercostal space at the left sternal border
   2. B. Fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border
   3. C. Fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
   4. D. Left anterior axillary line level with V4

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The Philips placement table lists V2 "on the 4th intercostal space at the left sternal border." It is opposite V1 at the fourth intercostal level.

   Reference: 12-Lead ECG — 12-Lead ECG Electrode Placement, Table 1, V2 row

9. 9A measured adult frontal QRS axis points 60 degrees left of zero. How is its direction classified by Philips?

   1. A. Left axis deviation
   2. B. Right axis deviation
   3. C. Normal frontal axis
   4. D. Vertical normal axis

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Philips says frontal QRS axis measurements counterclockwise from -30 degrees "are considered to be deviated to the left." -60 degrees is farther left than that boundary.

   Reference: Philips DXL ECG Algorithm Physician's Guide — Adult Morphology Analysis > QRS Axis Deviation

10. 10Under the Bruce-style treadmill protocols described by ASNC, how does exercise workload rise?

    1. A. Treadmill speed and incline increase by stage
    2. B. Speed falls while incline remains at zero
    3. C. Resistance increases on a stationary bicycle only
    4. D. Only the ECG paper speed changes

    Answer: A

    Explanation: ASNC describes Bruce or modified Bruce exercise as using "incremental treadmill speed and incline." Both variables can increase across stages.

    Reference: ASNC imaging guidelines for SPECT nuclear cardiology procedures: Stress, protocols, and tracers — Exercise Modalities