Safety, Compliance and Patient Care for EKG Techs
Updated October 27, 2026
Safety, Compliance, and Coordinated Patient Care is 32 of the 100 scored questions on the NHA CET exam. It covers what happens around the EKG: identifying the patient, infection control, privacy, communication and responding to emergencies. Here’s what to know, followed by free practice questions. Questions follow OSHA rules, CDC guidelines and HIPAA; always follow your facility’s policies.
Before the EKG
- Identify the patient with at least two identifiers, such as full name and date of birth.
- Explain the procedure in simple terms and get the patient’s consent.
- Provide privacy: close the curtain or door, and keep the patient covered except where electrodes go.
- Position the patient lying flat on their back (supine), arms at their sides, relaxed. If they can’t lie flat, raise the head and note the position on the tracing.
- Ask the patient to remove items that could interfere, following your facility’s procedure.
Infection control
- Hand hygiene before and after patient contact.
- Use disposable electrodes, and clean the cables and machine between patients.
- Wear gloves if contact with blood, body fluids or broken skin is possible.
Privacy
EKG tracings are protected health information. Share them only with authorized people, and don’t leave tracings or screens where others can see them.
Emergencies
If a tracing shows a possibly life-threatening rhythm, check the patient first. If the patient is unresponsive, call for help and follow emergency procedures. Report concerning tracings to the provider right away.
Free practice questions
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What is the first thing an EKG technician should do before performing an EKG?Answer: BCorrect patient identification comes first, using at least two identifiers such as full name and date of birth.
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In what position is a patient usually placed for a resting 12-lead EKG?Answer: CThe standard position is supine, relaxed, with arms at the sides. If the patient can't lie flat, note the position on the tracing.
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Why should the patient be covered except where electrodes are placed?Answer: AKeeping the patient covered protects their privacy and dignity and helps them stay warm, which reduces muscle tremor artifact.
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The monitor shows what looks like ventricular fibrillation. What should the technician do first?Answer: DAlways check the patient first. If they're unresponsive, this is an emergency: call for help and follow emergency procedures.
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Which practice helps prevent spreading infection between EKG patients?Answer: BUse disposable electrodes, clean cables and equipment between patients, and perform hand hygiene before and after every patient.
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A visitor asks to see a patient's EKG tracing. What should the technician do?Answer: CEKG tracings are protected health information. Share them only with authorized people, following HIPAA and facility policy.
Pass your EKG technician exam on the first try
- All 190 questions on safety and compliance, patient care, EKG acquisition and rhythm analysis
- An explanation for every answer, with the AHA recommendation, OSHA rule or guideline behind it
- Unlimited full 100-question practice exams, with each domain in its real share