Certified Cardiovascular Technician Practice Exam

When is it appropriate to use a benzoin tincture during skin preparation for an ECG?

1. When the patient's skin is oily

2. To prevent any allergic reaction

3. If there is excessive body hair

4. When the patient has dry skin

The correct answer is: If there is excessive body hair

Using a benzoin tincture during skin preparation for an ECG is particularly beneficial when there is excessive body hair. The primary purpose of benzoin tincture in this context is to enhance adhesion of the electrodes to the skin, which is essential for obtaining accurate ECG readings. When body hair is present, it can create a barrier that prevents the electrode from making firm contact with the skin, potentially leading to poor signal quality or artifact in the ECG recording. The adhesive properties of benzoin tincture help to mitigate this issue by providing a better surface for the electrodes to attach, ensuring more reliable data collection during the procedure. While it’s important to consider other skin conditions and factors, the use of benzoin tincture to deal with excessive body hair is a targeted solution that directly addresses the need for improved electrode adherence in such situations.