Which artifact results from a shifting baseline during an ECG strip?

• A. Muscle tremor artifact
• B. Wandering baseline artifact
• C. Contact artifact
• D. Electrical interference

Answer: (B)

The wandering baseline artifact occurs when there are fluctuations in the baseline level of the ECG tracing, often resembling a wave-like pattern. This artifact typically arises due to several factors, including patient movement, breathing patterns, or poor electrode placement. As the electrodes shift slightly in relation to the skin surface, this can cause a change in electrical signal detected by the ECG machine, leading to a baseline that seems to drift up and down rather than remaining stable.

Understanding this can help healthcare professionals accurately diagnose patient conditions by recognizing the artifacts and ensuring that the ECG readings reflect true cardiac activity rather than mechanical or environmental interferences. The wandering baseline artifact can complicate the interpretation of the ECG, making it essential for practitioners to be aware of and check for these variations.