EKG certification Certification EKG Patient Preparation & Clinical Procedures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Before placing EKG electrodes, a technician should prepare the skin by:
- Applying a thick layer of lotion to the skin
- Lightly abrading and cleaning the skin with an alcohol wipe (Correct answer)
- Shaving the entire chest regardless of hair
- Applying warm water only
Correct answer: Lightly abrading and cleaning the skin with an alcohol wipe
Cleaning the skin with an alcohol wipe and lightly abrading it removes oils, dead skin cells, and moisture that increase electrode impedance.
Question 2: What position should a patient be in when a resting 12-lead EKG is performed?
- Sitting upright at 90 degrees
- Supine (lying flat) with arms at the sides (Correct answer)
- Left lateral decubitus
- Semi-Fowler's position at 45 degrees
Correct answer: Supine (lying flat) with arms at the sides
The patient should be supine with arms relaxed at the sides to standardize electrode position, minimize muscle artifact, and ensure reproducible results.
Question 3: When obtaining informed consent for a routine EKG, a technician should explain that the procedure:
- Involves a small electrical shock to stimulate the heart
- Only records the heart's electrical activity and poses no electrical risk to the patient (Correct answer)
- May cause brief chest discomfort
- Requires fasting for at least 4 hours beforehand
Correct answer: Only records the heart's electrical activity and poses no electrical risk to the patient
A standard EKG is a passive recording of the heart's own electrical activity; no electricity is delivered to the patient and there is no risk of shock.
Question 4: Which of the following patient conditions requires the EKG technician to document a modified electrode placement?
- Hypertension
- Amputation of a limb (Correct answer)
- Obesity
- Diabetes
Correct answer: Amputation of a limb
If a limb is amputated, the electrode must be placed on the stump or the closest available site, and the modification must be clearly documented on the tracing.
Question 5: How should a technician handle a patient who is extremely anxious about the EKG procedure?
- Proceed quickly without explanation to reduce wait time
- Explain the procedure calmly, reassure the patient it is painless, and answer questions (Correct answer)
- Ask the patient to sign a waiver
- Reschedule the test for another day
Correct answer: Explain the procedure calmly, reassure the patient it is painless, and answer questions
Calm explanation and reassurance reduce patient anxiety, promote cooperation, and decrease the likelihood of somatic tremor artifact from tensed muscles.
Question 6: What should be documented on every EKG tracing before it is submitted for physician interpretation?
- Technician's full medical history
- Patient name, date of birth, date and time of recording, and technician ID (Correct answer)
- Technician's personal contact information
- The brand of electrodes used
Correct answer: Patient name, date of birth, date and time of recording, and technician ID
Accurate patient identification and recording metadata (name, DOB, date, time, technician ID) are required for legal, clinical, and tracking purposes.
EKG certification Certification EKG Patient Preparation & Clinical Procedures 1
Before placing EKG electrodes, a technician should prepare the skin by: