The artifacts that are most likely to cause high-amplitude, low frequency waves seen on the EEG are:

The artifacts that are most likely to cause high-amplitude, low frequency waves seen on the EEG are:

• A. 60 Hz artifact
• B. EKG artifact
• C. EOG artifact
• D. Respiratory artifact

Answer: (D)

The pattern comes from breathing. Respiratory artifact arises when the chest and abdominal movements, airflow, and the resulting impedance changes at the scalp electrodes produce slow, large deflections in the EEG that track the breathing cycle. These slow waves are low in frequency (roughly 0.1–0.5 Hz) and can be quite high in amplitude, making them prominent as the patient breathes. In contrast, 60 Hz artifact is a steady, higher-frequency hum from mains electricity and does not create those slow, large waves. EKG artifact shows rhythmic, discrete spikes tied to the heartbeat, not broad slow waves. Eye movements (EOG) produce large slow waves mainly in frontal regions but are linked to blinking or saccades rather than respiration.

The pattern comes from breathing. Respiratory artifact arises when the chest and abdominal movements, airflow, and the resulting impedance changes at the scalp electrodes produce slow, large deflections in the EEG that track the breathing cycle. These slow waves are low in frequency (roughly 0.1–0.5 Hz) and can be quite high in amplitude, making them prominent as the patient breathes.

In contrast, 60 Hz artifact is a steady, higher-frequency hum from mains electricity and does not create those slow, large waves. EKG artifact shows rhythmic, discrete spikes tied to the heartbeat, not broad slow waves. Eye movements (EOG) produce large slow waves mainly in frontal regions but are linked to blinking or saccades rather than respiration.