CCT Artifact Recognition and Troubleshooting 3

Question 1

Which ECG leads most commonly show baseline wander due to respiratory movement?

Accepted Answer

Inferior limb leads (II, III, aVF)

Answer

The inferior limb leads (II, III, aVF) are most commonly affected by respiratory baseline wander as the limb electrodes move with breathing and the thorax expands.

Question 2

Artifact that closely mimics atrial fibrillation on an ECG is most commonly caused by:

Accepted Answer

Patient shivering or fine muscle tremor (somatic tremor)

Answer

Somatic tremor, particularly shivering, produces rapid irregular oscillations that can closely resemble the fibrillatory baseline of atrial fibrillation.

Question 3

When a patient cannot remain still during an ECG due to uncontrollable tremors, the technician should:

Accepted Answer

Document the artifact, note the clinical condition, and record the best quality tracing possible

Answer

The technician should document the artifact type and clinical reason (e.g., Parkinson's, shivering) and provide the best available tracing for physician interpretation.

Question 4

If the right leg (RL/N) electrode becomes detached during recording, what effect would most likely be observed?

Accepted Answer

Significant artifact or loss of signal in all limb leads due to broken ground reference

Answer

The right leg electrode serves as the ground/neutral reference for the Wilson central terminal; its detachment causes significant artifact across all limb leads.

Question 5

A technician notices the QRS complex is predominantly positive in lead aVR on a routine ECG. This finding most likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Right arm and left arm lead reversal artifact

Answer

A predominantly positive QRS in aVR, which is always normally negative, is a classic indicator of right arm/left arm lead reversal.

CCT - Certified Cardiographic Technician Exam Practice Test

CCT - Certified Cardiographic Technician Exam Practice Test

CCT Artifact Recognition and Troubleshooting 3