Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) Practice Exam 2026 - Free CCT Practice Questions and Study Guide

A transcutaneous pacemaker paces the heart through the skin by delivering electrical impulses to stimulate cardiac activity. This method involves placing large electrode pads on the patient's chest and back, creating a circuit that sends electrical signals directly through the skin to the myocardium (heart muscle). This technique is typically used in urgent situations when a patient exhibits bradycardia (slow heart rate) or other conditions requiring temporary pacing until a more permanent solution can be implemented.

The other options refer to different pacing methods. For example, attaching a wire directly to the surface of the heart describes epicardial pacing, which is invasive and involves surgical intervention. Permanently pacing the heart typically refers to the use of an implanted pacemaker, which is designed for long-term management. Using a wire threaded through a vein refers to transvenous pacing, where a lead is placed inside a vein and advanced into the heart, offering a different approach. Thus, transcutaneous pacing uniquely utilizes the skin to deliver electrical impulses, making it effective for emergency interventions.