ECG Maintenance
What should you do first when preparing to clean an ECG machine
What is power down and unplug the machine?
Turning off nearby devices may fix this artifact type
What is eliminating electrical interferences?
This is the setting for standard gain
What is 10mm/mV
How many small boxes make up one big box?
What is 5?
This method is used on both regular and irregular rhythms
What is the 6 second method?
What should be used when cleaning the external surfaces on an ECG machine
What is a soft cloth dampened with a mild detergent?
This artifact appears when there is a break in the baseline or a lead that is not recording
What is an interrupted baseline?
These are used to attach to the skin to detect the heart's electrical signals
What are electrodes?
What does one small box on the ECG paper represent in terms of time?
What is 0.04 seconds?
This method involves counting the number of small boxes between 2 consecutive P waves or 2 consecutive R waves before dividing
What is the Small Box Method (1500 Method)
What areas of an ECG machine require more attention?
What are high touch areas? (control buttons, display screens, handles)
This artifact happens when the patient's muscles move during an ECG
What is a somatic tremor?
This is the standard setting for paper speed
What is 25mm/sec
What is the time duration represented by 5 large boxes?
What is 1 second?
This method involves counting the number of big boxes between 2 consecutive waves or 2 consecutive R waves before dividing.
What is the Big Box Method (300 Method)
What should you ensure not enter vents, plugs or jacks?
What is liquid?
Poor electrode contact, loose skin, or patient breathing deeply can cause this artifact that looks like the entire tracing is slowly drifting.
What is a wandering baseline?
What do you increase on an ECG machine when dealing with faster heart waves
What is Speed
How many seconds are represented by 4 small boxes?
What is .16 seconds
Which of the methods would be used on a Sinus Dysrhythmia?
What is the 6 Second Method
What does proper maintenance of an ECG ensure?
What is machine functions accurately and delivers precise recordings?
When skin oils or lotions prevent electrodes from sticking, this step is essential to ensuring a clean tracing
What is re-cleaning the skin?
What setting should you change on an ECG machine when dealing with short and low waves
What is Gain?
How many big boxes are in 2 seconds?
What is 10?
This method involves counting the number of P waves or R waves and multiply by 10 to get the heart rate for one minute
What is the 6 Second Method?