EKG certification Certification EKG Safety & Infection Control Protocols 1

Question 1

Before performing an EKG on a patient in airborne precautions, which action is MOST important for the technician?

Accepted Answer

Don a fit-tested N95 respirator before entering the room

Answer

Apply double gloves and a standard surgical mask

Answer

Request that housekeeping clean the room first

Answer

Postpone the EKG until the patient is moved to a negative-pressure room

Question 2

Which step in electrode site preparation BEST reduces skin impedance and improves EKG signal quality while also supporting infection control?

Accepted Answer

Gently abrading the skin with a dry gauze pad after cleaning with alcohol

Answer

Applying petroleum jelly to the electrode site before placement

Answer

Shaving all chest hair with a multi-use razor shared between patients

Answer

Leaving the site to air dry for at least 10 minutes after cleaning

Question 3

An EKG cable set has visible dried secretions on it after use. What is the correct next step?

Accepted Answer

Wipe with a facility-approved disinfectant wipe and allow full contact time before reuse

Answer

Rinse the cables under running water and immediately reuse them

Answer

Place the cables in an autoclave for sterilization

Answer

Discard the cables as biohazardous waste

Question 4

A technician finishes an EKG and removes the electrodes from the patient. In what order should the technician proceed?

Accepted Answer

Remove gloves, perform hand hygiene, then document the procedure

Answer

Perform hand hygiene first, then remove gloves, then document

Answer

Document the procedure while still gloved, then remove gloves

Answer

Remove gloves, immediately touch the EKG machine to save the tracing, then wash hands

Question 5

Which of the following BEST describes why single-use EKG electrodes should never be repositioned and reapplied to a different site on the same patient?

Accepted Answer

The adhesive picks up skin flora and debris, increasing infection risk at the new site

Answer

Single-use electrodes are too expensive to waste by moving them

Answer

The conductive gel dries out instantly, making repositioning unsafe electrically

Answer

Regulatory agencies prohibit repositioning electrodes under any circumstances

Question 6

A patient with Clostridium difficile (C. diff) requires an EKG. Which hand hygiene method is MOST effective after the procedure?

Accepted Answer

Soap and water handwashing for at least 20 seconds

Answer

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer applied for 15 seconds

Answer

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer followed by a sterile glove change

Answer

Antiseptic wipes rubbed on both hands for 10 seconds