QUIZ 2: EKG ACQUISITION

Following best practices, how frequently

should an EKG technician disinfect lead wires

and clips?

• At the end of every shift

• After each use

• Once every hour

• Once every hour

Answer explanation

The EKG technician should

disinfect lead wires and clips after each

patient use to prevent cross-contamination

between patients.

An EKG technician is reviewing an EKG

tracing and notices that the calibration mark

measures 10 mm high and 10 mm wide.

The technician should expect to find that

the machine is using which of the following

settings?

• 25 mm/second

• 2 mm/mV

• 50 mm/second

• 0.5 mm/mV

Answer explanation

The technician should expect a

paper speed of 50 mm/second on a machine

that has a calibration mark width of 10 mm.

An EKG technician is preparing a patient who

has Parkinson's disease for an EKG. Which of

the following actions should the technician

take to reduce artifacts associated with

tremors caused by Parkinson's disease?

• Ask the patient to take slow,

  deep breaths.

• Raise the head of the bed to a

  semi-Fowler's position.

• Have the patient place their hands

  palms-down under their buttocks.

• Place a blanket over the patient.

Answer explanation

The technician should ask the

patient to place their hands palms-down

under their buttocks to reduce artifacts on the

EKG tracing associated with tremors caused

by Parkinson's disease.

Which of the following leads is located at the

intersection of the midclavicular line and the

fifth intercostal space for a standard 12-lead

EKG?

• V2

• V4

• V5

• V6

Answer explanation

Lead V4 is located at the

intersection of the midclavicular line and the

fifth intercostal space.

An EKG technician is preparing to perform

a standard 12-lead EKG. In which of the

following locations should the technician

place the electrode for lead V1?

• Anterior axillary line at the same

  horizontal level as lead V4

• Fourth intercostal space at the right

  sternal border

• Fifth intercostal space at the

  midclavicular line

• Midaxillary line at the same horizontal

  level as lead V4

Answer explanation

Midaxillary line at the same horizontal

level as lead V4

An EKG technician is preparing to perform an

exercise stress test for a patient. Which of the

following actions should the technician take?

• Administer oxygen to the patient prior

  to testing.

• Administer moisturizing lotion before

  applying electrodes.

• Allow the patient to wear jewelry during

  the test.

• Shave areas with excess body hair before

  applying electrodes.

Answer explanation

If a patient has excess body hair

at an electrode site, the technician can shave

the area before applying the electrode to

facilitate a more secure connection.

An EKG technician is preparing to apply leads

to a patient who is scheduled for five-lead

Holter monitoring. In which of the following

locations should the technician apply the

ground electrode?

• Right lower abdomen

• Over the manubrium

• Over the fourth intercostal space

• Left lower abdomen

Answer explanation

The ground electrode for a

five-lead Holter monitor should be placed on

the patient's right lower abdomen.

An EKG technician is performing a 12-lead

EKG on a patient who had a below-the-knee

amputation of the left leg. Which of the

following actions should the technician take?

• Place both leg electrodes on the

  patient's thighs.

• Place the left leg electrode on the

  amputation site and the right leg

  electrode at the same location on the

  right leg.

• Place the left leg electrode on the left

  thigh and the right leg electrode below

  the knee on the right leg.

• Place both leg electrodes below the knee

  on the right leg.

Answer explanation

The technician should place

both leg electrodes on the patient's thighs,

equidistant from the patient's heart.

An EKG technician is performing a 12-lead

EKG for a patient who has dextrocardia. In

which of the following locations should the

technician place the electrode for lead V1?

• Fourth intercostal space on the left side

  of the sternum

• Fifth intercostal space on the left side of

  the sternum

• Midway between V4 and V6 on the left

  side of the chest

• Right anterior axillary line, fifth

  intercostal space

Answer explanation

The technician should perform

a right-sided EKG for a patient who has

dextrocardia. The technician should place

the electrode for lead VS on the right anterior

axillary line in the fifth intercostal space,

midway between leads V4 and V6.

An EKG technician notes a positive deflection

of the waveforms on lead aVR on a patient's

standard 12-lead EKG tracing. Which of the

following steps should the technician take?

• Remove tension from the lead wires.

• Immediately print the EKG tracing results.

• Verify lead and electrode placement.

• Reposition the patient on the

  examination table.

Answer explanation

The technician should verify

the placement of the leads and electrodes

to ensure that all leads are attached to the

correct electrodes and that all electrodes are

properly attached to the patient's skin. Once

all leads and electrodes have been verified

and reattached as necessary, the technician

should check the patient's EKG tracing again.