CPFT Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Test Prep Guide

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.