Medical Assistant Prep / Unit 23 MAS 556 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Fixing Artifact
The idea
When a tracing shows artifact, work through the likely causes in a steady order, then record again.
In practice
Step one: look at the patient. Are they shivering, tense, talking or moving? Step two: check every electrode for firm contact on clean, dry skin, and replace any that are loose or dry. Step three: make the patient comfortable, with a blanket if cold, reassurance if anxious, and support for the arms and legs. Step four: move power cords away and set aside phones and other electronics. Step five: ask the patient to lie still and breathe normally, then record a new tracing. Step six: inspect the new tracing before you remove the electrodes.
Where people slip
Do not hand the provider a tracing full of artifact without saying so. If the artifact cannot be fixed, tell the provider what you tried, so they can judge the tracing with that in mind.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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