Certified EkG technician (CET) Practice Exam

In a stress test, what indicates that the test should be continued?

1. New patient symptoms

2. Stable EKG readings

3. Increase in heart rate

4. Patient fatigue

The correct answer is: Stable EKG readings

In the context of a stress test, stable EKG readings are crucial in determining whether the test should continue. When the EKG shows no significant changes, such as new arrhythmias or ST-segment elevations, it indicates that the patient is tolerating the stress test well. This stability suggests that the heart is responding appropriately to the increased workload, reflecting a lower risk of ischemia or other complications at that moment in time. The presence of new symptoms, such as chest pain or other discomforts, typically suggests that the test should be stopped, as it could indicate potential cardiac distress. An increase in heart rate, while a normal physiological response during exertion, must still be coupled with stable EKG findings for the test to be deemed safe to continue. Finally, patient fatigue may also warrant termination of the test to prevent overexertion or adverse events. Therefore, the stability of EKG readings is the key factor in continuing a stress test.