Question 1

Which component of the EKG setup is responsible for amplifying the electrical signal from the heart before it is recorded?

Accepted Answer

Amplifier

Question 2

A patient’s EKG tracing appears as a flat line. What is the FIRST step you should take before calling a code?

Accepted Answer

Check the patient for a pulse and breathing

Question 3

What is the default chart speed for an EKG machine, and how is it represented in LaTeX?

Accepted Answer

$$25\ \mathrm{mm/sec}$$

Question 4

Which type of artifact is most likely if a patient is shivering during an EKG recording?

Accepted Answer

Somatic tremors

Question 5

A thick, fuzzy baseline appears on an EKG tracing in a busy ICU. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Too many electrical devices nearby causing 60-cycle interference

Question 6

Which of the following is a potential consequence of a macroshock during EKG recording?

Accepted Answer

Burns, neurologic damage, or fatal heart rhythm disturbances

Question 7

If you notice a broken recording on the EKG strip, what is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Replace the electrode patches or reattach loose wires

Question 8

A patient with a pacemaker is at risk for which type of electrical hazard during EKG recording?

Accepted Answer

Microshock

Question 9

Which control feature on the EKG machine should be adjusted if the EKG waves appear too small to interpret?

Accepted Answer

Gain

Question 10

A patient’s EKG tracing shows a pattern that looks like ventricular tachycardia, but the patient is brushing their teeth and is asymptomatic. What is the most likely explanation?

Accepted Answer

Artifact caused by arm movement (toothbrush tachycardia)

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the function of the frequency response control on an EKG machine?

Accepted Answer

Filters out extraneous noise and artifact

Question 12

During CPR, the EKG monitor shows a rhythm that resembles ventricular tachycardia. What should you do to confirm if this is a true rhythm?

Accepted Answer

Pause CPR briefly to check the rhythm without artifact

Question 13

Which of the following is the correct default gain setting for an EKG machine, represented in LaTeX?

Accepted Answer

$$10\ \mathrm{mm/mV}$$

Question 14

A baseline that moves up and down on the EKG paper is most likely caused by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Baseline sway due to breathing pattern or skin interference

Question 15

Which of the following steps is NOT recommended when troubleshooting artifact on an EKG?

Accepted Answer

Ignore the artifact and interpret the rhythm

Question 16

If artifact is present in leads I and II but not in V1, what is the best next step?

Accepted Answer

Interpret the rhythm using V1, which has less artifact

Question 17

Which of the following is a key precaution to prevent electrical hazards during EKG recording?

Accepted Answer

Check for frayed wires or components before starting the EKG

Question 18

A sudden spike or drop in the EKG tracing immediately after defibrillation is most likely due to:

Accepted Answer

Defibrillation/cardioversion artifact

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the process by which the EKG machine converts the heart’s electrical signal into a digital format?

Accepted Answer

Digital conversion

Question 20

A patient’s EKG tracing shows a flat line, but the patient is awake and talking. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Loose monitor patches or wires causing artifact

Technical Aspects of the EKG: Medical Terminology and Clinical Application

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