Final answer:
Somatic interference on an EKG tracing is typically expected in a patient with excessive body hair, as it can lead to poor electrode contact and interfere with an accurate reading of the heart's electrical activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
An EKG technician should expect to see somatic interference on the EKG tracing for a patient with excessive body hair. Somatic interference refers to the noise created by muscular activity, which can include the movement of muscles, shivering, and other physical actions that produce electrical signals that may interfere with the EKG readings. A patient with excessive body hair can cause poor electrode contact and lead to artifact in EKG tracings; such interference can make it difficult to correctly interpret the heart's electrical activity. Therefore, removing excessive hair or securely attaching the electrodes is essential for accurate EKG results. Proper technique can mitigate somatic interference and improve the diagnostic quality of the EKG.