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

AC interference produces a regular 60 Hz oscillation (fine zigzag) on the ECG baseline, caused by nearby electrical equipment or poor grounding.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Respiratory movement and poor electrode contact

Answer

Baseline wander is most commonly caused by patient breathing (chest movement) combined with poor electrode contact, causing slow undulation of the baseline.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Somatic (muscle tremor) artifact

Answer

The rhythmic muscle tremors of Parkinson's disease produce high-frequency somatic artifact that can mimic atrial flutter or fibrillation.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Sudden sharp deflection or signal loss in one lead

Answer

Electrode pop is caused by a momentary loss of electrode contact, producing a sudden sharp spike or abrupt signal disruption in one or more leads.

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

True cardiac arrhythmias maintain some organized P-QRS-T relationship across leads, while somatic artifact lacks this pattern and resolves when the patient relaxes or stops moving.

ECG (Electrocardiogram) Practice Test

ECG (Electrocardiogram) Practice Test

ECG ECG Artifacts and Troubleshooting