Certified EkG technician (CET) Practice Exam

If a technician observes a flat line on the EKG monitor, what should be the first action?

1. Check for patient responsiveness

2. Change the electrodes

3. Increase the machine sensitivity

4. Notify the physician

The correct answer is: Check for patient responsiveness

When a technician observes a flat line on the EKG monitor, the first action should be to check for patient responsiveness. This is critical because a flat line may indicate that the patient's heart is not producing any electrical activity, leading to cardiac arrest or other severe conditions. Assessing responsiveness allows the technician to determine if immediate emergency interventions are necessary, such as initiating CPR or calling for help. Once the patient’s responsiveness has been assessed and the technician knows the patient’s status, other actions may follow, such as notifying medical personnel or troubleshooting equipment problems like changing electrodes or adjusting machine settings. However, ensuring that the patient is alive and responsive is the utmost priority before any further steps take place.