Somatic tremor artifact is commonly caused by patient movement.
60 cycle interference is commonly caused by electrical interference.
The most common cause for the P wave, QRS complex, and T wave to be inverted in lead 1 is incorrect lead placement.
The “gain” setting on the EKG machine is concerned with the amplitude of the waves and complexes.
A patient is short of breath and his nurse tells you he must have the head of the bed at 90° for his 12 lead EKG. What should you do?
Do the EKG at 90° and document this position on the EKG.
Paper speed for printing out the EKG is 25 mm/sec.
A properly maintained EKG machine is not likely to cause electrical shock.
If artifact is present in Leads 1, 2, and AVR, the most likely source of the artifact is on the right arm.
The most important benefit of a three channel recorder when doing a 12 lead EKG is all leads can be recorded simultaneously.
A digital converter on the EKG machine converts ____ signal into a ____ one.
Converts the analog signal to a digital one.
Some modern EKG machines are Bluetooth capable allowing EMS workers to transmit the EKG to the nearest hospital so workers can prepare for the patient’s arrival.
On your patient’s 12 lead EKG lead 1’s waves and complexes are completely negative, AVR’s waves and complexes are completely positive… the most likely cause of this is right and left arm leads inadvertently reversed.
Your patient for a 12 lead EKG has no legs as the result of bilateral amputations. Where should you put the leg electrodes?
On the lower abdomen above where the legs would be.
Your patient is having chills. What kind of artifact can this produce?
Somatic tremors.
If there is artifact in Leads two, three, and AVF, on which limbs would you expect to find the cause of the artifact?
Left leg.
Your patient is smiling and visiting with family, but the cardiac monitor shows that the patient’s heart has completely stopped. The rhythm on the monitor is thus: artifact.
The artifact caused by the jiggling of wires during tooth brushing is called: toothbrush tachycardia.
If your patient’s cardiac rhythm is life-threatening, your first action should be to check the patient, assess vital signs, and see how he or she feels.
Muscle artifact can be minimized by monitoring the patient in lead V1 or MCL1.
Muscle artifact is seen most often in the frontal leads.
Microshock is different from macroshock in that microshock is a lower voltage electrical shock.
Electrically speaking, the heart is a transmitter.
To minimize artifact, what must be done?
Attach electrode patches securely. Tell the patient not to move during the EKG.
Small adhesive patches with conductive gel on the skin side are electrodes.
If artifact is seen in Leads one, three, and aVL, the problem is on which limb?
Left arm.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answers:
- Somatic tremor artifact is commonly caused by patient movement.
- 60-cycle interference is commonly caused by electrical interference.
- The most common cause for the P wave, QRS complex, and T wave to be inverted in lead I is incorrect lead placement.
- The gain setting on the EKG machine is concerned with the amplitude of the waves and complexes.
- If a patient must be positioned at 90° for a 12-lead EKG, perform the EKG at 90° and document this position on the EKG.
- Paper speed for printing out the EKG is 25 mm/sec.
- A properly maintained EKG machine is not likely to cause electrical shock.
- If artifact is present in Leads I, II, and AVR, the most likely source of the artifact is on the right arm.
- The most important benefit of a three-channel recorder when doing a 12-lead EKG is that all leads can be recorded simultaneously.
- A digital converter on the EKG machine converts the analog signal to a digital one.
- Some modern EKG machines are Bluetooth capable, allowing EMS workers to transmit the EKG to the nearest hospital.
- If Lead I’s waves and complexes are completely negative and AVR’s are completely positive, the most likely cause is right and left arm leads inadvertently reversed.
- If a patient has bilateral amputations, the leg electrodes should be placed on the lower abdomen.
- Chills can produce somatic tremors.
- If artifact is in Leads II, III, and AVF, the left leg is likely the source of the artifact.
- If a patient is smiling and talking, but the monitor shows asystole, the rhythm is artifact.
- The artifact caused by tooth brushing is called toothbrush tachycardia.
- If a patient has a life-threatening cardiac rhythm, the first action should be to check the patient, assess vital signs, and evaluate symptoms.
- Muscle artifact can be minimized by monitoring the patient in Lead V1 or MCL1.
- Muscle artifact is seen most often in the frontal leads.
- Microshock is different from macroshock because microshock is a lower voltage electrical shock.
- Electrically speaking, the heart is a transmitter.
- To minimize artifact, attach electrode patches securely and tell the patient not to move during the EKG.
- Electrodes are small adhesive patches with conductive gel on the skin side.
- If artifact is seen in Leads I, III, and aVL, the problem is on the left arm.
Explanation:
EKG (Electrocardiogram) is a crucial tool in diagnosing heart conditions by measuring the electrical activity of the heart. However, artifacts—false signals not originating from the heart—can interfere with accurate interpretation.
Somatic tremor artifact is caused by involuntary patient movements such as shivering or muscle contractions. 60-cycle interference is due to electrical signals from nearby equipment, which is why ensuring proper grounding and using dedicated power outlets can minimize this issue. Lead placement errors, like reversing right and left arm leads, can drastically change wave appearances, leading to misinterpretation.
The gain setting adjusts the height (amplitude) of the EKG waves, which helps in better visibility of electrical signals. Proper positioning of the patient ensures optimal signal acquisition; when necessary, modifications should be documented.
Artifacts can arise from poor electrode adhesion, patient movement, or external electrical interference. If artifact is present in specific leads, determining which limb corresponds to those leads can help locate the source of interference. For example, Leads I, II, and AVR suggest right arm issues, while Leads I, III, and aVL suggest left arm involvement.
Modern EKG machines use digital conversion for processing signals and can transmit data via Bluetooth, assisting in emergency situations. Ensuring patient safety from electrical shock involves using a well-maintained EKG machine.
Proper artifact management includes securing electrodes, instructing patients to stay still, and recognizing common artifacts like toothbrush tachycardia. Identifying and resolving these issues ensures the most accurate and reliable EKG interpretation.
Now generating the image…
Here is the generated image of a medical professional performing an EKG on a patient sitting upright at 90 degrees in a hospital bed. Let me know if you need any modifications or additional details!
