A patient must undress from the waist up and put on a gown. What else is the patient instructed to do?

Instructing the patient to remove any metal items and cell phones from their pockets and body is important for several reasons in the context of an electrocardiogram (EKG) procedure. Metal objects can interfere with the electrical signals that the EKG is measuring, potentially leading to inaccurate readings. Additionally, cell phones can emit electromagnetic waves that might disrupt the sensitive equipment. By ensuring that the patient is free of these items, healthcare providers can achieve a clearer and more accurate representation of the electrical activity of the heart, which is essential for proper diagnosis and monitoring.

The focus on removing non-essential items also contributes to patient safety and comfort during the procedure. Ensuring that the patient is not wearing any metal accessories reduces the risk of any artifacts on the EKG tracing.