Artifact Recognition and Troubleshooting Flashcards
7 cards from real CCT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Artifact Recognition and Troubleshooting flashcards as text
What is the most common cause of 60 Hz AC interference on an ECG tracing?
Answer: Improper grounding or nearby electrical equipment
AC interference at 60 Hz is caused by improper grounding or electromagnetic interference from nearby electrical equipment in the room.
Somatic tremor artifact on an ECG is most likely caused by:
Answer: Patient muscle movement or shaking
Somatic tremor artifact results from involuntary patient muscle movement or shaking, producing irregular baseline oscillations on the tracing.
Wandering baseline artifact is most commonly caused by:
Answer: Respiratory movement or poor electrode-skin contact
Wandering baseline is typically caused by respiratory movement or poor electrode-skin contact, making the baseline drift rhythmically up and down.
Which characteristic best distinguishes 60 Hz AC interference from somatic tremor artifact?
Answer: AC interference appears as uniform, regular oscillations at 60 cycles per second
AC interference appears as perfectly regular, uniform oscillations at exactly 60 Hz, distinguishing it from the irregular, variable pattern of somatic tremor.
To minimize motion artifact during ECG recording, the technician should:
Answer: Ensure the patient is relaxed, warm, and comfortably positioned
Ensuring the patient is relaxed, warm, and comfortable minimizes muscle tension and involuntary movement, which are primary sources of motion artifact.
A detached or loose electrode is most likely to produce which type of artifact?
Answer: A flat line or intermittent signal loss in the affected lead
A loose or detached electrode interrupts the electrical circuit, producing a flat line or intermittent signal dropout in the lead(s) using that electrode.
Which measure is MOST effective in reducing 60 Hz AC interference on an ECG?
Answer: Ensuring proper grounding and removing sources of electromagnetic interference
Ensuring proper equipment grounding and removing electromagnetic interference sources (such as electric blankets or nearby devices) are the most effective methods to eliminate 60 Hz artifact.