EKG certification Certification EKG Equipment & Artifact Troubleshooting 3

Question 1

In a properly functioning EKG machine, the standardization mark at the beginning of each lead should measure:

Accepted Answer

10 mm tall and 0.2 sec wide

Answer

The standard calibration pulse should be 10 mm (1 mV) tall and 0.2 seconds wide, confirming the machine is properly calibrated.

Question 2

Which of the following describes the function of a right leg (RL/N) electrode in a 12-lead EKG?

Accepted Answer

It serves as a ground electrode to reduce electrical interference

Answer

The right leg electrode acts as a ground (neutral) electrode that helps cancel out electrical noise and interference, improving signal quality.

Question 3

What is the most likely cause of an intermittent or 'dropped' signal on one lead of a 12-lead EKG?

Accepted Answer

Loose or partially detached electrode on that lead

Answer

An intermittent signal on one lead is most commonly caused by a loose electrode connection or a lead wire that is not fully snapped to the electrode.

Question 4

EKG paper has two types of grid squares. The larger square is made up of how many small squares?

Accepted Answer

25 small squares

Answer

Each large (bold) square on EKG paper consists of 25 small squares (5 across × 5 down), with each small square representing 0.04 sec and 0.1 mV.

Question 5

A technician notices the QRS complexes are clipping off the top of the paper. What is the correct adjustment?

Accepted Answer

Switch to half standard sensitivity (5 mm/mV)

Answer

Switching to half standard (5 mm/mV) reduces the amplitude of all deflections by half, preventing tall QRS complexes from clipping off the recording.

EKG certification Practice Test