CRAT ECG Troubleshooting and Artifacts 2

Question 1

Sixty-cycle (60 Hz) interference on an ECG most likely results from which cause?

Accepted Answer

Nearby electrical equipment or poor electrode grounding

Answer

Patient movement

Answer

Loose electrode gel

Answer

Incorrect lead placement

Question 2

Baseline wander on an ECG is most commonly caused by which factor?

Accepted Answer

Patient breathing or movement causing electrode-skin interface changes

Answer

Electrical interference from AC current

Answer

Incorrect paper speed

Answer

Low battery in the ECG machine

Question 3

A patient's ECG shows a completely flat line in lead II only, while other leads record normally. The most likely cause is which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Disconnected or failed lead II electrode

Answer

Asystole

Answer

Pacemaker failure

Answer

Electrode misplacement on both limbs

Question 4

Which action is most appropriate when a patient's ECG shows muscle tremor artifact that obscures rhythm interpretation?

Accepted Answer

Reposition the electrodes away from muscle-heavy areas and ask the patient to relax

Answer

Increase the gain setting on the ECG machine

Answer

Apply additional electrodes to all limbs

Answer

Immediately interpret the rhythm despite artifact

Question 5

If limb leads show reversed arm electrode placement (right and left arm switched), which lead will appear inverted compared to a correct recording?

Accepted Answer

Lead I

Answer

Lead V1

Answer

Lead aVF

Answer

Lead II

Question 6

Which ECG parameter should be verified first when the paper tracing appears abnormally large or small for all waveforms?

Accepted Answer

Calibration/gain setting (should show 10 mm/mV deflection)

Answer

Paper speed setting

Answer

Lead selection

Answer

Filter settings