NHA Module 9: EKG and cardiovascular testing

Occurs during the QRS wave phase

Ventricular depolarization, contraction of the ventricle

Occurs during the T wave

Ventricular repolarization, relaxation of the ventricles

Causes of a somatic tremor artifact

Muscle movement

Causes of AC interference

Poor grounding or external electricity interference

Causes of wandering baseline

Movement associated with breathing or poor electrode connection

Causes of interrupted baseline

Disconnected or broken lead wire

Bipolar leads

Leads I, II and III

Unipolar leads

Leads aVL, aVR and aVF

Lead colors for extremities

White: right arm

Black: left arm

Red: left leg

Green: right leg

Location of V1 and V2

V1: right side of the sternum at the fourth intercostal space

V2: left side of the sternum, directly across from V1 at the fourth intercostal space

Location of V6

V6: left side of the chest, fifth intercostal space, midaxillary line

Patient preparation prior to EKG

Avoid applying substances to the skin, such as lotions, creams, oils and ointments

Patient instructions when performing EKG

Explain that they must lie still, breathe normally and not talk while the EKG is being recorded

Standardization mark size

10 mm high

Which of the following demonstrates how somatic tremors can differentiate from 60-cycle interference

Somatic tremors produce irregular spikes

Which of the following places should the electrode for lead V2 be placed?

The left side of the sternum, fourth intercostal space

Which of the following dysthymias results in continuous fibrillatory waves between the QRS complexes

Atrial fibrillation

Which of the following is the correct number of electrodes needed to record a 12-lead EKG

10

a MA is preparing to record an EKG on a pt who has a history of pulmonary disease. The patient reports shortness of breath after lying on the exam table. Which of the following actions should the MA take?

Elevate the head of the bed 45 degree (Semi-Fowler’ position)

Which of the following artifacts is a result of patient movement with breathing

Wandering Baseline

Which serves as a conductor of impulses during an EKG?

Electrolyte gel

Which of the following statements made by a MA demonstrates an understanding of the patient privacy

I’ll cover your abdomen with a blanket as soon as i’m done placing the EKG electrodes

Which of the following waves represents atrial depolarization?

P wave

While preparing o record an EKG, you notice there’s a break in the baseline and the screen displays a flat line across all leads. which of the following do you suspect?

There’s a disconnected lead wire

While assisting with a cardiac stress test, the MA observes that the patient’s blood pressure reading is 204/108. Which actions should the assistant take?

Stop the procedure and notify the provider immediately

Which of the following differentiates sinus tachycardia from ventricular tachycardia?

Sinus tachycardiac has narrow QRS complexes. Ventricular tachycardia has wide QRS complexes

Which of the following places should the black limb lead be placed

the left arm

Which of the following is the duration of a standard calibration box?

0.2 seconds

Which of the following places should the electrode for lead V4 be placed?

The left side of the sternum, fifth intercostal space, the midclavicular line

Which of the following positions is the best for preforming an EKG

Supine

Which of the following is the height of a standard calibration box?

10mm

A MA notices frequent, regular spikes on the EKG tracing. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?

Turn off nearby electrical equipment

Which of the following actions should be taken for a patient experiencing a somatic tremor artifact on their electrocardiogram due to uncontrolled muscle movements

have the patient lay their hands palms down under their buttocks to reduce the muscle movements

Which of the following actions can cause a wandering baseline artifact?

A patient with lotion or cream on their skin