Question

A medical assistant is preparing a patient for an EKG. Which of the following instruction should the assistant provide to the patient?

1) Remove any jewelry, particularly necklaces and earrings
2) Remove all clothing except undergarments
3) Lie still and breathe normally during the procedure
4) Avoid eating or drinking for at least 4 hours before the test

Answer 1

For an EKG, the patient should remove jewelry and may remove clothing from the waist up while keeping on undergarments unless they interfere with electrode placement. During the test, it's important to lie still and breathe normally. Fasting is not a general requirement before an EKG.

Step-by-step explanation:

When preparing a patient for an EKG test, there are specific instructions a medical assistant should provide to ensure the test's accuracy. Firstly, the patient should remove any jewelry, such as necklaces and earrings, as these can interfere with the electrical signals being recorded. Additionally, the patient should remove clothing from the waist up, with females often being provided with a gown for modesty, but undergarments can usually remain on unless they interfere with electrode placement.

During the EKG test, it's crucial for the patient to lie still and breathe normally, since movement can distort the electrical signals captured by the EKG. Unlike some other medical tests, fasting is not typically required, so instruction to avoid eating or drinking for a certain time before the test is not standard for an EKG unless specified by the healthcare provider for special circumstances.