Safety & ProfessionalismQuestion 95 of 100
An anxious patient is trembling and asks whether the EKG will shock her. What is the best response?
a.Explain in simple terms that the machine only records the heart's own electrical signals and does not deliver any current, then help her get comfortable
b.Tell her not to worry about it and start the test
c.Explain the full electrical engineering of the machine in technical detail
d.Have her sign the consent form and proceed without discussion
Explanation
Clear, simple explanation reduces anxiety, and a relaxed patient also produces a tracing free of somatic tremor artifact, so communication is both a professional and a technical necessity. Dismissing the concern leaves the patient frightened and tense. Overly technical explanations confuse rather than reassure, and obtaining a signature without addressing the question is not informed cooperation.
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