CET CET Patient Preparation and Safety 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Before performing a 12-lead EKG, what is the correct patient skin preparation step to improve electrode adhesion?
- Apply lotion to the skin
- Clip or shave excess hair and clean the skin with alcohol (Correct answer)
- Warm the skin with a heating pad
- Pinch the skin firmly before placing electrodes
Correct answer: Clip or shave excess hair and clean the skin with alcohol
Clipping hair and cleaning with alcohol removes oils and debris, ensuring good electrode-to-skin contact for a quality tracing.
Question 2: Which patient position is standard for a routine resting 12-lead EKG?
- Sitting upright at 90 degrees
- Left lateral decubitus
- Supine with legs uncrossed (Correct answer)
- Semi-Fowler's at 45 degrees
Correct answer: Supine with legs uncrossed
The supine position with legs uncrossed is standard because it reduces muscle artifact and ensures consistent lead placement.
Question 3: A patient is anxious and shivering during an EKG. What should the EKG technician do?
- Proceed immediately and note the artifact
- Cover the patient with a blanket and allow them to relax before recording (Correct answer)
- Apply extra electrodes to compensate
- Increase the filter settings and begin the test
Correct answer: Cover the patient with a blanket and allow them to relax before recording
Shivering causes muscle artifact; warming and calming the patient before recording produces a cleaner tracing.
Question 4: When should an EKG technician verify patient identity before performing a procedure?
- Only if the patient appears confused
- After completing the EKG to save time
- Using at least two patient identifiers before every procedure (Correct answer)
- Once per shift for repeat patients
Correct answer: Using at least two patient identifiers before every procedure
The Joint Commission requires two patient identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) before every procedure to prevent errors.
Question 5: Which infection control practice is MOST important before and after touching each patient during EKG testing?
- Wearing a gown and mask
- Performing hand hygiene (Correct answer)
- Changing electrode lead wires
- Disinfecting the EKG machine display
Correct answer: Performing hand hygiene
Hand hygiene is the single most effective infection control measure before and after every patient contact.
Question 6: A patient states they have a pacemaker. What is the first action the EKG technician should take?
- Refuse to perform the EKG
- Document the pacemaker on the requisition and proceed normally (Correct answer)
- Skip precordial leads to avoid interference
- Notify the ordering provider before proceeding
Correct answer: Document the pacemaker on the requisition and proceed normally
Documenting pacemaker presence on the requisition alerts interpreting clinicians to expect pacemaker spikes on the tracing.
CET CET Patient Preparation and Safety 1
Before performing a 12-lead EKG, what is the correct patient skin preparation step to improve electrode adhesion?