Title: Describe troubleshooting and maintenance of cardiac monitoring devices.
Course: Patient Care Technician (14051-III) > Section: Understanding the Role of the Electrocardiogram (ECG)

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?