CPCT Certification Study Guide Focused Review

Flashcards related to artifacts found on EKG results.

The most common reasons for artifacts on an EKG that come from the patient involve body movement or substances on the skin; causes unrelated to the patient include mechanical issues and electrical factors.

Artifacts on an EKG

Setting on EKG machines that helps reduce any artifact from muscle tremors or any slight movement the patient makes.

40 hertz (Hz)

Relaxation of the heart muscle in its resting state.

Repolarization

The time between each cardiac cycle and appears as a flat line; it is a time of repolarization, or relaxation.

Baseline

The recording has wavelike up-and-down movements throughout the tracing; improper placement of the electrodes can cause this.

Wandering Baseline

Muscle movement on an EKG tracing; appears as uneven spikes on the EKG tracing.

Somatic Tremor

A progressive, degenerative central nervous system disorder that causes constant muscle spasms and shakiness.

Parkinson’s Disease

Any electronic device on or near the patient has the potential to cause electrical interference; this type of artifact creates uniform small spikes on the EKG tracing.

Alternating Current (AC) Interference

A baseline that is not continuous sometimes indicates an interruption in the electrical connection.

Interrupted Baseline