CCT Artifact Recognition and Troubleshooting

Question 1

What is the most common cause of 60 Hz AC interference on an ECG tracing?

Accepted Answer

Improper grounding or nearby electrical equipment

Answer

Patient movement during recording

Answer

Respiratory variation

Answer

Electrode gel drying out

Question 2

Somatic tremor artifact on an ECG is most likely caused by:

Accepted Answer

Patient muscle movement or shaking

Answer

Loose electrode connections

Answer

Nearby electrical equipment

Answer

Improper lead placement

Question 3

Wandering baseline artifact is most commonly caused by:

Accepted Answer

Respiratory movement or poor electrode-skin contact

Answer

60 Hz electrical interference

Answer

Patient talking during recording

Answer

Reversed limb lead placement

Question 4

Which characteristic best distinguishes 60 Hz AC interference from somatic tremor artifact?

Accepted Answer

AC interference appears as uniform, regular oscillations at 60 cycles per second

Answer

AC interference is irregular and variable in amplitude

Answer

Somatic tremor produces a perfectly regular pattern

Answer

AC interference only affects precordial leads

Question 5

To minimize motion artifact during ECG recording, the technician should:

Accepted Answer

Ensure the patient is relaxed, warm, and comfortably positioned

Answer

Increase paper speed to 50 mm/sec

Answer

Ask the patient to hold their breath throughout the entire recording

Answer

Reduce the gain setting on the ECG machine

Question 6

A detached or loose electrode is most likely to produce which type of artifact?

Accepted Answer

A flat line or intermittent signal loss in the affected lead

Answer

60 Hz AC interference throughout all leads

Answer

Somatic tremor in the affected lead

Answer

Wandering baseline only in limb leads

Question 7

Which measure is MOST effective in reducing 60 Hz AC interference on an ECG?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring proper grounding and removing sources of electromagnetic interference

Answer

Asking the patient to breathe slowly and deeply

Answer

Moving the ECG machine farther from electrical outlets

Answer

Using higher gain settings on the ECG machine