On a telemetry monitor, what does a "wavy baseline" suggest?

• A. Stable heart function
• B. Respiratory movement or patient motion artifact
• C. Cardiac arrest
• D. Abnormal heart rate

Answer: (B)

A "wavy baseline" on a telemetry monitor typically indicates the presence of respiratory movement or patient motion artifact. This phenomenon occurs when the patient's body moves or shifts position, which can create interference in the electrical signals being monitored. Such movements might be related to normal breathing patterns, especially if the patient is unwell or anxious, or they might be due to shifts in the positioning of leads on the skin.

This type of artifact can lead to misinterpretation of the patient's heart rhythm, as it can obscure the true electrical activity of the heart. Therefore, recognizing a wavy baseline is essential for telemetry monitor technicians, as it helps them determine whether the data reflects accurate heart activity or if it needs to be re-evaluated due to potential motion issues.

In contrast, a stable heart function would typically display a clear, consistent rhythm on the monitor, while cardiac arrest would manifest in a flat line or significant changes in rhythm. An abnormal heart rate can appear as irregularities in the waveform but would not specifically indicate a wavy baseline.