Chapter 4 Homework Questions

The function of the EKG machine is to

• Conduct electrical signals throughout the heart's conduction system.

• Print out a representation of the heart's mechanical functioning.

• Print out a representation of the heart's electrical current.

• Augment the heart's current when there is none.

Answer explanation

The function of the EKG machine is to print out a representation of the​ heart's electrical current. The EKG machine does not conduct electrical signals throughout the​ heart's conduction system. The EKG machine cannot augment the​ heart's current when there is none.

What feature do some modern EKG machines have?

• Able to run the EKG without electrodes and wires

• Capable of defibrillating patients

• Bluetooth capable

• Able to tell the paramedic what medication to give

Answer explanation

Some modern EKG machines have Bluetooth capabilities that allow​ pre-hospital care responders to electronically transmit a​ patient's EKG to the receiving hospital prior to the​ patient's arrival. EKG machines do not defibrillate patients or tell the paramedic what medication to give. An EKG machine cannot work without electrodes and wires.

When is it most useful to adjust the speed on the EKG machine?

• When the patient's rhythm is rapid

• When the physician needs the tracing quickly

• When the patient's rhythm is slow

• When the paramedic is trying to send the tracing remotely

Answer explanation

Changing the chart speed is useful when the patient has a very fast​ rhythm, as widening out the rhythm separates the waves and can aid in rhythm interpretation. Chart speed does not have to do with the speed of performing the EKG or transmitting it remotely. While the chart speed can be changed when the​ patient's rhythm is​ slow, it is most useful when the​ patient's rhythm is rapid.

Next question

What is the frequency response on the EKG?

• It filters out excess electricity.

• It increases the frequency of the tracing printout.

• It filters out noise and artifact.

• It increases the speed of the tracing printout.

Answer explanation

The frequency response filters out extraneous noise and artifact​ (unwanted jitter or​ interference) to provide a smoother EKG recording. Frequency response does not increase speed or frequency of the tracing. The frequency response does not filter out excess electricity.

If you change any of the normal settings on the EKG machine, you must

• Document this change on the top of the EKG tracing.

• First get permission from the physician.

• Use a special type of device to make the change.

• Advise the patient this will make her EKG tracing look abnormal.

Answer explanation

Fantastic!

Whenever any setting is changed from the​ norm, document this change at the top of the EKG printout to prevent misinterpretation of any EKG changes caused by the setting change. You do not need permission from the physician to change normal settings on the EKG machine. You would not want to tell the patient that the setting change will make her EKG tracing look abnormal. Changing the normal settings on the EKG machine does not require a special type of device to make the change.

Next question

The normal chart speed for the EKG machine is

• 10 millimeters/minute

• 25 millimeters/second

• 10 millimeters/second

• 25 millimeters/minute

Answer explanation

Well done!

The normal chart speed for the EKG machine is 25​ millimeters/second. This means that the machine prints out 25 millimeters​ (25 little​ blocks) in one second. The other answer choices are not the normal chart speed for the EKG machine.

Changing the chart speed of the EKG machine to 50 mm/sec narros the waves and complexes.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Excellent!

Changing the speed to 50​ mm/s means it now takes 50mm​ (50 little​ blocks) to equal one second. This doubles the width of the waves and complexes.

Electrodes are small adhesive patches that adhere to the skin and pick up the heart's electrical signals.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Nice work!

Electrodes are small adhesive patches that adhere to the skin and pick up the​ heart's electrical signals.

Telemetry monitoring is remote cardiac monitoring.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Fantastic!

Telemetry monitoring is remote cardiac monitoring.

60-cycle interference makes the baseline on the EKG tracing look thickened, as though it were drawn with a thick marker.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Excellent!

​60-cycle interference results in a​ thick-looking pattern on the paper.