NTA NTA Telemetry Equipment and Technology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the standard ECG paper speed used in the United States?
- 25 mm/sec (Correct answer)
- 50 mm/sec
- 10 mm/sec
- 100 mm/sec
Correct answer: 25 mm/sec
The standard ECG paper speed in the US is 25 mm/second, where each small square represents 0.04 seconds.
Question 2: What is the primary function of a telemetry transmitter?
- Records ECG data to paper
- Wirelessly transmits cardiac signals to a central monitor (Correct answer)
- Provides electrical stimulation to the heart
- Measures blood pressure
Correct answer: Wirelessly transmits cardiac signals to a central monitor
A telemetry transmitter wirelessly sends the patient's cardiac electrical signals to a central monitoring station for continuous surveillance.
Question 3: In MCL1 electrode placement, where is the positive electrode positioned?
- 4th intercostal space, right sternal border (V1 position) (Correct answer)
- Left shoulder
- Right shoulder
- Left leg
Correct answer: 4th intercostal space, right sternal border (V1 position)
MCL1 uses the positive electrode at the V1 position (4th intercostal space, right sternal border) and the negative electrode at the left shoulder.
Question 4: Why must telemetry transmitter batteries be checked and replaced regularly?
- To prevent overheating of the device
- To ensure continuous, uninterrupted cardiac signal transmission (Correct answer)
- To extend the lifespan of the electrodes
- To prevent false high heart rate alarms
Correct answer: To ensure continuous, uninterrupted cardiac signal transmission
Dead or weak batteries cause signal loss, leaving the patient unmonitored; regular battery replacement prevents this safety risk.
Question 5: What is the most common cause of 60-cycle interference artifact on a telemetry strip?
- Patient movement during ambulation
- Electrical interference from nearby equipment and/or loose lead connections (Correct answer)
- Atrial fibrillation
- High heart rate
Correct answer: Electrical interference from nearby equipment and/or loose lead connections
60-cycle (AC) interference appears as a thick, fuzzy baseline and is caused by nearby electrical equipment or poor electrode/lead wire contact.
Question 6: What is the primary role of the central monitoring station in a telemetry unit?
- Administers medications remotely
- Receives and displays cardiac rhythms from multiple patients simultaneously (Correct answer)
- Controls IV infusion pumps
- Stores physician orders
Correct answer: Receives and displays cardiac rhythms from multiple patients simultaneously
The central monitoring station aggregates and displays rhythm data from multiple patients at once, enabling continuous surveillance by telemetry staff.
NTA NTA Telemetry Equipment and Technology 1
What is the standard ECG paper speed used in the United States?