Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT) Practice Exam

A Parkinson tremor is characterized by involuntary, rhythmic muscle contractions that can influence the movements of the body, including the upper limbs. When looking at an electrocardiogram (ECG) tracing, the presence of such tremors may cause variability in the baseline due to the involuntary muscle contractions. This leads to an erratic or abnormal baseline, which can be indicative of the physiological effects of tremors associated with Parkinson's disease. An erratic baseline on the ECG reflects the rapid, oscillatory movements that disrupt the regularity of the heart's electrical activity as captured on the tracing. These movements can be so pronounced that they interfere with the normal rhythm, making the ECG appear unstable or irregular. This is consistent with how Parkinson tremors affect the body, leading to fluctuations rather than a stable, consistent reading. In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe how Parkinson tremors manifest on an ECG. A flat line would suggest no electrical activity, which is not the case here. Uniform small spikes imply a steady rhythm, while a wandering baseline might suggest movement artifact but doesn't capture the specific erratic nature associated with Parkinsonian tremors. The choice of an erratic baseline best describes the impact of a Parkinson tremor on an ECG tracing