Certified EkG technician (CET) Practice Exam

What actions should the technician perform before an exercise stress test?

1. Only measure the patient's weight

2. Obtain an EKG while the patient is supine, sitting, and standing up

3. Assess the patient's mental state

4. Check the patient's medication history

The correct answer is: Obtain an EKG while the patient is supine, sitting, and standing up

Before conducting an exercise stress test, it is important for the technician to obtain an EKG while the patient is supine, sitting, and standing up. This procedure is crucial as it provides baseline measurements of the heart's electrical activity before the patient begins exercising. Assessing the EKG in these different positions can help identify any potential abnormalities that may be exacerbated during physical activity. By having this comprehensive view of the patient’s cardiac function in various postures, the technician can better interpret changes in heart activity that occur during the stress test. In contrast, measuring the patient's weight alone does not provide relevant information needed for the stress test. While assessing the patient's mental state is important for overall health and safety, it is not a direct action related to preparing for the physiological changes expected during the test. Checking the medication history is also valuable, as certain medications can affect heart rate and response to exercise, but it does not replace the necessity of obtaining a baseline EKG in different positions, which is essential for the test's accuracy and safety.