ECG Troubleshooting and Artifacts Flashcards

A CRAT observes an ECG tracing with a thick, uniform, and fuzzy baseline. The interference is regular and consistent across all leads. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this artifact?

Answer: AC (60-cycle) interference

AC (60-cycle) interference presents as a thick, uniform, fuzzy baseline caused by electrical noise from nearby equipment or improper grounding. Patient shivering causes somatic tremor, which is more erratic and jagged. A loose electrode typically causes a wandering baseline or intermittent signal loss, and patient respiration causes a slow, undulating wandering baseline.

A technician is reviewing a rhythm strip and notices the isoelectric line slowly drifting up and down in a wave-like pattern. This artifact is most consistent with:

Answer: Wandering baseline

Wandering baseline is characterized by a slow, undulating, or drifting isoelectric line. It is often caused by patient movement, including respiration, or poor electrode contact. Somatic tremor is a jagged, irregular artifact, while 60-cycle interference is a very rapid, regular artifact. A disconnected lead would result in a flat line for the affected leads.

Which of the following actions is most effective in reducing somatic tremor artifact on an ECG tracing?

Answer: Ensuring the patient is warm and relaxed in a comfortable position.

Somatic tremor is caused by muscle movement, which can be voluntary or involuntary (e.g., shivering from being cold or tense). Ensuring the patient is warm, comfortable, and relaxed is the most direct way to reduce this type of artifact. Unplugging devices addresses AC interference, while applying fresh electrodes addresses wandering baseline or signal loss.

While monitoring a patient, the CRAT suddenly observes a flat line on Lead II, while Leads I and III appear normal. What is the MOST appropriate first step?

Answer: Check the electrodes and lead wires for the right arm and left leg.

A flat line in a single lead, especially when other leads show a rhythm, indicates a technical problem, not a clinical emergency. Lead II is recorded between the right arm (RA) and left leg (LL) electrodes. Therefore, the first step should be to check the connection of these specific electrodes and their associated wires. Checking the patient is always important, but in the context of an isolated lead failure, the technical issue should be addressed first.

A patient's ECG shows a chaotic and irregular baseline with fine, jagged spikes. The patient is awake, alert, and reports feeling cold. This artifact can be best identified as:

Answer: Somatic tremor

Somatic tremor artifact is caused by muscle contractions, such as shivering, and appears as fine, irregular, jagged spikes on the ECG. The patient feeling cold is a key indicator of shivering. Electromagnetic (AC) interference is more regular and uniform. Poor electrode contact usually leads to a wandering baseline, and baseline sway is another term for wandering baseline.

To troubleshoot a wandering baseline artifact on an ECG, which of the following is the LEAST likely to be a corrective action?

Answer: Unplugging a nearby fan or cell phone charger.

Unplugging a nearby electrical device is the primary solution for AC (60-cycle) interference, not a wandering baseline. Wandering baseline is typically caused by poor electrode-to-skin contact, patient movement (including breathing), or tension on the lead wires. Therefore, checking skin prep, electrode placement, and cable tension are all appropriate corrective actions.