Final answer:
A PCT should identify that somatic interference during EKG testing, such as patient movement or muscle tremors, can affect the results. Accurate EKG interpretation is crucial for diagnosing conditions like heart blocks or myocardial infarction, but sometimes additional imaging is needed.
Step-by-step explanation:
A patient care technician (PCT) should be aware that somatic interference during EKG testing is likely caused by patient movement or muscle tremors. Full understanding of EKG complexities takes years of experience, but recognizing common artifacts is crucial for accurate readings. For instance, a second-degree heart block shows some P waves not followed by a QRS complex, atrial fibrillation exhibits abnormal patterns before the QRS complex, and in ventricular fibrillation, normal electrical activity is absent.
To ensure accurate diagnosis of cardiac events such as myocardial infarction (MI), proper EKG interpretation is essential. A third-degree heart block may show a lack of correlation between the P wave and the QRS complex. Since various conditions, including an MI, cannot always be detected solely through EKG, additional imaging like echocardiograms or nuclear imaging may be required.