Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) Practice Exam 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Question: 1 / 400

What does the P wave represent in an ECG?

Atrial contraction

Ventricular depolarization

Atrial depolarization

The P wave on an ECG represents atrial depolarization. It is the initial phase of the cardiac cycle, indicating that the atria are preparing to contract. During this phase, an electrical impulse originates from the sinoatrial (SA) node, traveling through the atria and causing them to depolarize. This depolarization leads to the contraction of the atrial muscles, pushing blood into the ventricles.

Understanding the significance of the P wave is crucial for interpreting ECG readings since it provides insight into the atrial activity of the heart. In contrast, other options refer to different aspects of the cardiac cycle: ventricular depolarization occurs during the QRS complex, and ventricular repolarization is represented by the T wave. Thus, the heart's normal functioning and rhythm can be assessed through the proper identification of these waves, where the P wave specifically highlights atrial activity.

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Ventricular repolarization

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