Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist Exam Prep
Free practice questions

Free RCES Practice Questions

10 exam-style questions with answers and explanations, straight from our 1,035-question bank. Tap an answer to check yourself. When you're ready, take the scored version in the free practice test.

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The RCES exam has 170 questions and runs 3 hours.

These 10 free RCES questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.

Domain 2: Conducting Intra-Procedural Activities 36% of exam

Question 1

According to the Vaughan Williams classification, mexiletine is categorized as which class of antiarrhythmic agent?

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Correct answer: C - Class Ib, which shortens the action potential

Question 2

Amiodarone is unusual among antiarrhythmic drugs because it:

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Correct answer: D - Exhibits properties of all four Vaughan Williams classes

Question 3

Adenosine is administered during an EP study to help differentiate tachycardia mechanisms. Its principal electrophysiologic effect is:

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Correct answer: A - Transient block of conduction through the AV node

Question 4

A pacemaker is programmed to the 'DDDR' mode. Reading the NASPE/BPEG (NBG) code, this mode indicates:

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Correct answer: C - Pace and sense both chambers, dual response, plus rate modulation

Question 5

A pacemaker-dependent patient is scheduled for a procedure using electrocautery. To prevent inappropriate inhibition of pacing by electrical interference, the device is MOST appropriately programmed to:

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Correct answer: B - An asynchronous mode such as DOO or VOO for the case

Domain 3: Performing Diagnostic Procedures 26% of exam

Question 6

During an EP study, a catheter records three distinct deflections in sequence: a low-amplitude atrial signal, a sharp narrow spike, and a large ventricular signal. This catheter is positioned at the:

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Correct answer: C - His bundle region, across the tricuspid annulus

Question 7

A candidate is reviewing baseline intervals recorded during an EP study. Which of the following values represents a NORMAL HV interval?

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Correct answer: B - 45 milliseconds

Question 8

During atrial extrastimulus testing, shortening the coupling interval by 10 ms produces a sudden 60 ms increase in the AH interval. This finding is BEST explained by:

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Correct answer: D - Dual AV nodal pathway physiology with a slow-pathway jump

Question 9

The effective refractory period (ERP) of the atrium is defined as the:

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Correct answer: A - Longest premature coupling interval that fails to capture the atrium

Question 10

A regular narrow-complex tachycardia is entrained by ventricular overdrive pacing. When pacing stops, the electrograms return in a 'V-A-A-V' sequence rather than 'V-A-V.' This response is MOST consistent with:

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Correct answer: B - Atrial tachycardia with the AV node as a bystander

The rest of the RCES blueprint

The RCES exam also covers these domains. Drill them in the full free practice test:

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