Question

If you find it necessary to change the sensitivity switch position, by checking the amplitude of the _______________ the physician can tell what sensitivity you are using.

Answer 1

By checking the amplitude of the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, the physician can determine what sensitivity setting is used on an oscilloscope or ECG machine. This facilitates accurate diagnosis of heart function by allowing small or large electrical signals to be effectively displayed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The physician can determine the sensitivity setting being used by checking the amplitude of the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. The amplitude adjustment on an oscilloscope controls how tall a given voltage appears on the screen, letting one see both large and small signals effectively. In the context of health monitoring equipment, such as an ECG machine, changing the sensitivity refers to adjusting how much the machine amplifies the electrical signals it reads from the heart.

During a medical examination, adjusting the sensitivity of an ECG allows clinicians to better visualize the heart's electrical activity. A higher sensitivity setting makes the heart's electrical signals appear taller (more amplified), while a lower sensitivity setting reduces their height. This adjustment helps physicians accurately interpret cardiac functions and diagnose potential abnormalities. The ability of the equipment to pick up minute electrical impulses reflects the concept of absolute threshold, which is the minimum stimulus energy necessary for detection 50% of the time by the sensory system.