What does interference from electrical equipment show as on an EKG?

Interference from electrical equipment on an EKG typically manifests as small spikes on the tracing. This is often due to electromagnetic interference from devices such as cell phones, monitors, or electrical wires nearby, which can introduce noise to the EKG signal. These small spikes are not related to the patient's cardiac activity but indicate the presence of this interference, which can obscure the true readings of the heart's electrical activity. Recognizing these spikes is important for medical professionals to differentiate between normal heart rhythms and artifacts caused by external electrical sources.

In contrast, other manifestations such as flat lines might suggest a loss of electrical activity or electrical failure. Irregular patterns could be related to genuine arrhythmias. Wide complexes are typically features of various conduction disturbances but are not associated specifically with interference from electrical equipment. Thus, identifying the small spikes helps in ensuring accurate interpretation of the EKG readings.