Describe troubleshooting and maintenance of cardiac monitoring devices.

Description should include

  • identifying recording errors
    • improper tracing
    • standardization mark out of range
    • improper lead placement
  • identifying causes of an artifact
    • somatic tremor
    • patient/client movement
    • wandering baseline
    • AC interference
    • seizures
  • accounting for patients/clients with special considerations
    • clothing
    • shunts
    • piercings
    • scars
    • pacemaker/automated implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD)
  • correcting artifacts and recording errors
    • paper placement
    • lead reversal
    • power loss
    • remove electronic devices
    • calm the patient
  • operating the ECG machine per manufacturer’s and facility’s policy.

Process/Skill Questions:

  • How does one put paper in the ECG machine?
  • How does one recognize a malfunction of the ECG machine?