Page 53 - ractice Exam Questions and rationales

may vary slightly. The common items always requested are: patient name, indication of
insurance (id#/provider), testing requested, priority of the testing (STAT, routine, timed, etc.),
and ordering physician. Many requisitions also ask for an indication for testing, ICD codes,
patient diagnosis, etc. A patient signature, next of kin, and insurance contact number are not
typically required.
The importance of accurate anatomic positioning of leads on a patient when performing an ECG
is to

A. allow interruption of negative electrical conduction.

B. stimulate positive electrical impulses.

C. capture true cardiac activity.

D. ensure proper machine calibration with universal measurements.

Your response:
capture true cardiac activity.
Correct response:
capture true cardiac activity.
Rationale: Incorrect placement of leads is a known cause of artifact changes in the ECG, and
leaves the patient at risk for error. Patients may receive potentially harmful treatment if not
placed correctly. Incorrect placement of the precordial electrodes (V1-V6, forming the
horizontal plane on the chest wall closest to the heart) changes the ECG significantly.
When inspecting a patient’s arm before performing a venipuncture, the most desirable site
appears to be the back of the hand. Which of the following venipuncture methods is most
appropriate in this situation?

A. evacuated tube

B. needle and syringe

C. butterfly needle

D. capillary puncture

Your response:
butterfly needle
Correct response:
butterfly needle
Rationale: The best choice in this situation is to use a butterfly needle, a winged needle with
flexible tubing that is short in length. Butterfly needles are easier to insert into tiny, fragile,
and/or rolling surface veins close to the skin. If a butterfly is not available, a needle and syringe
would be the next choice. The vacuum pressure of evacuated tubes can collapse small or fragile
veins such as those on the back of the hand. A capillary puncture would be the last option here,
and would be used in the instance of a failed butterfly or syringe attempt (provided there are no