ECG Artifacts and Troubleshooting Flashcards

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

Answer: AC interference artifact

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

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

Answer: Respiratory movement and poor electrode contact

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

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

Answer: Somatic (muscle tremor) artifact

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

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

Answer: Sudden sharp deflection or signal loss in one lead

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.

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

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

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.

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

Answer: Re-prep skin and reattach electrodes with proper adhesion

Proper skin preparation and secure electrode attachment reduce movement-related baseline wander by improving electrode stability and skin contact.