Wandering baseline is most commonly caused by what?

Wandering baseline is most commonly caused by what?

• A. Electrical interference
• B. Sweat or lotion on skin and loose wires
• C. Strong magnetic field
• D. Battery low

Answer: (B)

Baseline wandering happens when the electrode-skin contact changes slowly over time, causing the recorded signal to drift up or down. The most common cause is changes in skin impedance from sweat or lotion on the skin and from loose or poorly connected wires. When the impedance at the electrode site varies, the DC level of the signal shifts, producing a wandering baseline that can obscure the true waveform. Loose wires or intermittent contact can worsen this drift because even small movements alter the contact quality, creating gradual shifts in the baseline. Electrical interference and strong magnetic fields tend to add noise at specific frequencies or produce abrupt artifacts rather than a slow, drifting baseline. A low battery typically affects overall signal strength or introduces clipping, not a gradual baseline wander. To reduce wandering baseline, ensure clean skin prep, secure electrode connections, and use proper lead routing and filtering.

Baseline wandering happens when the electrode-skin contact changes slowly over time, causing the recorded signal to drift up or down. The most common cause is changes in skin impedance from sweat or lotion on the skin and from loose or poorly connected wires. When the impedance at the electrode site varies, the DC level of the signal shifts, producing a wandering baseline that can obscure the true waveform. Loose wires or intermittent contact can worsen this drift because even small movements alter the contact quality, creating gradual shifts in the baseline.

Electrical interference and strong magnetic fields tend to add noise at specific frequencies or produce abrupt artifacts rather than a slow, drifting baseline. A low battery typically affects overall signal strength or introduces clipping, not a gradual baseline wander. To reduce wandering baseline, ensure clean skin prep, secure electrode connections, and use proper lead routing and filtering.