Question

A medical assistant notes a wandering baseline throughout an EKG tracing. Which of the following electrocardiograph issues could have resulted in this occurrence?

1) Loose or detached electrodes
2) Faulty or damaged EKG machine
3) Body movement during the EKG
4) D. All of the above

Answer 1

Loose or detached electrodes, a faulty EKG machine, and body movement can all result in a wandering baseline during an EKG tracing.

Step-by-step explanation:

Wandering baseline on an EKG tracing can be caused by multiple issues including loose or detached electrodes, a faulty or damaged EKG machine, and body movement during the EKG. Loose or detached electrodes can result in fluctuating electrical signals, leading to a wandering baseline. A faulty or damaged EKG machine can introduce noise and interference into the signal, causing the baseline to wander. Additionally, body movement during the EKG can disrupt the contact between the electrodes and the skin, leading to an unstable baseline.