Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT) Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success!

Question: 1 / 400

Which component of the heart initiates electrical impulses?

Atrioventricular (AV) node

Sinoatrial (SA) node

The Sinoatrial (SA) node is the primary pacemaker of the heart and is responsible for initiating electrical impulses that trigger heartbeats. Located in the right atrium, it generates electrical signals automatically, resulting in the contraction of the atria. This natural pacing function ensures that the heart beats in a coordinated manner, maintaining an efficient rhythm essential for proper blood circulation.

The SA node sets the pace for the entire cardiac cycle, so when it fires, the impulses travel through the heart's conduction system, causing the atria to contract and push blood into the ventricles. Following this, the electrical signals reach the Atrioventricular (AV) node and other parts of the conduction system, but it is the SA node that begins the process. This ability to spontaneously generate action potentials is what distinguishes the SA node as the heart's dominant pacemaker.

Get further explanation with Examzify DeepDiveBeta

Bundle of His

Purkinje fibers

Next Question

Report this question

Download Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT) Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success! PDF Study Guide
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy