EMG Quality Assurance & Compliance 4

Question 1

A technologist notices the EMG machine's calibration signal is 10% lower than expected. What is the correct next step?

Accepted Answer

Remove the equipment from service and notify the biomedical engineering department

Answer

Equipment that fails calibration must be taken out of service immediately and referred to biomedical engineering to prevent acquisition of inaccurate clinical data.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes a 'sentinel event' in the context of EMG laboratory quality management?

Accepted Answer

An unexpected occurrence resulting in patient death, serious injury, or permanent harm

Answer

A sentinel event, as defined by The Joint Commission, is an unexpected occurrence involving patient death, serious physical or psychological injury, or significant risk thereof, requiring immediate root cause analysis.

Question 3

During a nerve conduction study, the stimulus artifact completely obscures the CMAP onset. Which QA-approved technique is preferred to reduce the artifact?

Accepted Answer

Apply a ground electrode between the stimulator and recording electrodes

Answer

Placing the ground electrode between the stimulator and recording electrodes diverts artifact current and reduces stimulus artifact without altering the physiological signal.

Question 4

When reviewing an EMG laboratory's policies and procedures manual for compliance, how frequently should the manual be reviewed and updated at minimum?

Accepted Answer

Annually, or whenever significant procedural changes are made

Answer

Accreditation standards and best practices require annual review of policies and procedures, with updates whenever significant changes in equipment, personnel, or techniques occur.

Question 5

A patient reports receiving an electrical shock during a nerve conduction study. Under which reporting framework must this event potentially be documented?

Accepted Answer

FDA MedWatch for medical device adverse event reporting

Answer

Adverse events caused by medical devices, including electrical shock from EMG equipment, must be reported to the FDA through MedWatch in addition to internal incident reporting.

(EMG) Electromyography Certification Practice Test

(EMG) Electromyography Certification Practice Test

EMG Quality Assurance & Compliance 4