Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

When a site in the heart speeds up and takes over as pacemaker, it is referred to as?

1. Reentrant pacemaker

2. Ectopic pacemaker

3. Intrinsic pacemaker

4. Sinus node dysfunction

The correct answer is: Ectopic pacemaker

When a site in the heart speeds up and takes over as the pacemaker, it is referred to as an ectopic pacemaker. The term “ectopic” refers to an electrical impulse originating from a location other than the normal pacemaker of the heart, which is the sinoatrial (SA) node. In a healthy heart, the SA node is responsible for initiating the electrical impulses that regulate heartbeats. However, if another part of the heart – such as the atria, ventricles, or the atrioventricular (AV) junction – begins to generate impulses at a faster rate than the SA node, that area is termed an ectopic pacemaker. This can occur due to various factors, such as increased sympathetic nervous system activity, electrolyte imbalances, or ischemic heart disease. Understanding this concept is essential for recognizing variations in heart rhythms and identifying conditions such as arrhythmias, where abnormal pacing can lead to inefficient heart function or other complications.