ECG ECG Artifacts and Troubleshooting

Question 1

Which artifact appears as a regular, uniform oscillation at 60 Hz on the ECG baseline?

Accepted Answer

AC interference artifact

Answer

Baseline wander

Answer

Muscle tremor artifact

Answer

Respiratory artifact

Question 2

What is the most common cause of baseline wander on an ECG tracing?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory movement and poor electrode contact

Answer

AC power interference

Answer

Atrial flutter

Answer

Machine malfunction

Question 3

A patient with Parkinson's disease is likely to produce which type of ECG artifact?

Accepted Answer

Somatic (muscle tremor) artifact

Answer

AC interference

Answer

Baseline wander

Answer

Electrode pop artifact

Question 4

An 'electrode pop' artifact on an ECG is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Sudden sharp deflection or signal loss in one lead

Answer

Gradual baseline drift

Answer

Uniform 60 Hz oscillation

Answer

Wide QRS complexes

Question 5

How can a technician differentiate somatic artifact from a true cardiac arrhythmia?

Accepted Answer

Artifacts do not follow P-QRS-T pattern and disappear when patient is still

Answer

Artifacts are always in all leads simultaneously

Answer

Artifacts only occur in limb leads

Answer

Artifacts always cause ST changes

Question 6

Which corrective action best addresses baseline wander caused by electrode movement?

Accepted Answer

Re-prep skin and reattach electrodes with proper adhesion

Answer

Increase paper speed

Answer

Apply the 60 Hz filter

Answer

Record only precordial leads