ECG ECG Troubleshooting

Question 1

What is the most common cause of a wandering baseline on an ECG?

Accepted Answer

Patient movement or poor electrode contact

Answer

A cardiac arrhythmia

Answer

Equipment malfunction

Answer

Electromagnetic interference

Question 2

What should you do if the ECG shows 60-cycle (60 Hz) interference?

Accepted Answer

Check for nearby electrical equipment and ensure proper grounding

Answer

Replace the ECG machine

Answer

Repeat the ECG tomorrow

Answer

Increase paper speed

Question 3

Why is skin preparation important before applying ECG electrodes?

Accepted Answer

To reduce impedance and improve signal quality

Answer

To sterilize the skin for a procedure

Answer

To make electrode removal easier

Answer

To prevent allergic reactions

Question 4

What happens if limb lead electrodes are placed on the wrong limbs?

Accepted Answer

The ECG tracing will show incorrect or inverted waveforms

Answer

Nothing, the machine compensates automatically

Answer

The machine will not turn on

Answer

Only the heart rate will be affected

Question 5

How can you distinguish artifact from true ventricular fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

Check the patient's pulse and consciousness level

Answer

Look only at the monitor

Answer

Increase the paper speed

Answer

Apply more electrodes

Question 6

What is the significance of lead reversal on a 12-lead ECG?

Accepted Answer

It can mimic pathological conditions and lead to misdiagnosis

Answer

It has no clinical significance

Answer

It only affects the heart rate display

Answer

It automatically triggers an alarm