Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP) Certification Practice Test

Low-voltage EKG changes are most commonly associated with which condition?

1. Myocardial Infarction

2. Cardiac Tamponade

3. Atrial Fibrillation

4. Heart Block

The correct answer is: Cardiac Tamponade

Low-voltage EKG changes are most commonly associated with cardiac tamponade due to the increased fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac that compresses the heart. This compression limits the heart's ability to expand fully during diastole, resulting in weaker electrical signals being transmitted through the heart muscle. Consequently, the amplitude of the electrical signals recorded on the EKG decreases, leading to low-voltage readings. In contrast, myocardial infarction typically presents with ST elevations or depressions due to ischemia, atrial fibrillation shows an irregularly irregular rhythm without consistent P waves, and heart block often leads to distinct patterns such as prolonged PR intervals or dropped beats, rather than low voltage itself. This reinforces the association of low-voltage EKG changes primarily with cardiac tamponade.