Which setting on an EKG machine adjusts the height of the waveforms?

The gain control on an EKG machine is responsible for adjusting the height of the waveforms displayed on the monitor or printed on paper. Gain essentially amplifies the electrical signals received from the heart, changing the vertical scale of the EKG tracing. When the gain is increased, the waveforms appear taller, allowing for better visualization of the heart's electrical activity, which can be crucial for accurate interpretation by healthcare providers.

In contrast, speed control adjusts the speed at which the EKG paper moves, influencing the horizontal presentation of the waveforms, while the lead selector determines which electrical leads are used to monitor the heart but does not affect the amplitude of the waveforms. The stylus is the mechanism that produces the marks on the EKG paper, but it also does not manage the height of the waveforms. Understanding the function of gain control is essential for interpreting EKGs effectively, as appropriate amplification helps to highlight important characteristics of the heart's electrical activity.