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

A U wave on an ECG is often associated with hypokalemia, which is a condition characterized by low levels of potassium in the blood. The presence of a U wave may suggest that the heart's repolarization process is altered due to inadequate potassium levels. In conditions of hypokalemia, the myocardial membrane potential can become more unstable, which can result in the manifestation of U waves following the T wave on an ECG.

Normal physiological response is not typically characterized by prominent U waves, and while U waves can appear in healthy individuals, they usually indicate an electrolyte imbalance when pronounced. Hyperkalemia and arrhythmias can also produce changes in the ECG, but they would not specifically correlate with the formation of U waves as hypokalemia does. Therefore, recognizing U waves on an ECG and understanding their association with hypokalemia is vital for identifying potential cardiac issues related to electrolyte disturbances.