Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Study for the Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question with hints and explanations. Get exam-ready with confidence!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What should the first step be if you notice artifact on an ECG?

Calibrate the machine
Check electrode placement
Change the paper
Document the findings

The correct answer is: Check electrode placement

Noticing artifact on an ECG indicates that there is interference affecting the clarity and accuracy of the electrocardiogram results. The first step in addressing this issue is to check electrode placement. Proper electrode placement is crucial because incorrect positioning can introduce noise or artifacts to the ECG tracing, leading to misinterpretation of the heart's electrical activity. When the electrodes are not positioned correctly according to the standard 12-lead ECG configuration, it can result in various types of artifacts, such as muscle tremors or electrical interference from other devices. Ensuring that the electrodes are placed according to the guidelines not only eliminates potential artifacts but also allows for the most accurate representation of the heart's electrical activity. While calibrating the machine, changing the paper, and documenting the findings are all important tasks in the context of ECG recording and analysis, they do not directly address the immediate issue of artifact caused by electrode misplacement. Thus, confirming and correcting the electrode placement should be the initial response to resolve the presence of artifact in the ECG.