Question

"If the ECG recording appears with the baseline rising and falling (wandering baseline), the medical assistant should"

a. Check for nearby electric appliances.
b. Check electrode attachment.
c. Continue recording the ECG.
d. Check the cable connections to the electrodes.

Answer 1

To correct a wandering baseline in an ECG recording, the medical assistant should check the electrode attachment, ensure patient stability, minimize electrical interference, and check the cable connections.

Step-by-step explanation:

If an ECG recording appears with the baseline rising and falling, which is known as a wandering baseline, the medical assistant should primarily Check the electrode attachment. A wandering baseline can occur due to poor electrode contact with the skin, patient movement, or other interferences that affect the tracing quality. Ensuring that the electrodes have proper skin contact and are securely attached can resolve this issue. It's also beneficial to check that the patient is calm and still during the recording and to ensure there are no electrical interferences from nearby appliances which could cause artifacts in the ECG reading. Checking the cable connections is also a wise step if reattaching the electrodes does not correct the problem.