EKG AcquisitionQuestion 62 of 100
A tracing shows steady 60-cycle interference. Which troubleshooting sequence is most appropriate?
a.Increase the paper speed and reprint
b.Apply new electrodes and ask the patient to breathe deeply
c.Switch the machine to half standardization
d.Unplug nearby electrical equipment, move the cables away from power cords, verify the ground electrode, and confirm the patient is not touching metal
Explanation
Sixty-cycle interference comes from surrounding alternating current, so the corrections are environmental: turn off or unplug nearby devices, separate the patient cable from power cords, verify a good ground electrode, and keep the patient from contacting the bed rails or other metal. Paper speed and standardization changes alter the display without removing the noise, and deep breathing worsens baseline wander rather than fixing interference.
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