Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CCT Practice Questions and Study Guide

An ECG, or electrocardiogram, is a valuable tool for assessing the electrical activity of the heart and, importantly, can provide insights into a patient's electrolyte status. Specifically, it can reveal imbalances such as hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) and hypokalemia (low potassium levels). This is significant because potassium plays a crucial role in cardiac function, and deviations from normal potassium levels can lead to distinct changes in the ECG tracing.

For instance, hyperkalemia may present with tall, peaked T-waves and, as the condition worsens, can lead to further ECG changes such as widening of the QRS complex or even the development of a sine wave pattern, which can be life-threatening. Conversely, hypokalemia is often indicated by the presence of U-waves and ST-segment depression. Hence, monitoring ECG alterations is crucial for identifying these dangerous electrolyte imbalances, which can have profound implications for cardiac health.

The other options refer to factors that an ECG is not equipped to measure directly. For example, ECG does not provide a reliable assessment of dehydration levels or kidney function, as these require specific laboratory tests. Likewise, while sodium imbalances can affect heart function, the ECG is not a direct indicator of sodium levels, making