EKG artifact is commonly seen in patients who are obese and those with which types of disorders?

The presence of EKG artifact is frequently observed in patients who are obese and those with congestive heart failure (CHF) and hypertension (HTN). In obese individuals, the accumulation of body fat can lead to increased movement and instability in the leads, contributing to artifact on the EKG. Similarly, patients with CHF may experience fluid overload, which can affect heart positioning and lead to variations in the electrical signals, also resulting in artifact.

Hypertension can also cause changes in the heart's size and structure, such as left ventricular hypertrophy, which can alter the baseline readings of an EKG and contribute to artifacts as well. These conditions create a physiological environment where interference with the EKG readings becomes more likely due to changes in body mechanics or electrical conduction.

In other options, while diabetes and asthma, COPD, or atrial fibrillation may have connections to heart health, they do not have the same strong associations with mechanical or electrical interference on an EKG as CHF and HTN do in relation to obesity. Thus, patients with CHF and HTN are particularly prone to EKG artifacts due to the impact these conditions have on overall cardiovascular health and body mechanics.