Trace the waves
How much time is represented by a small box and a medium box (5 small boxes) on an ekg strpi
.04 sec and .2 sec
What is asystole ?
the cardiac monitor shows no electrical activity
What would the signs and symptoms be for a patient with an unstable tachycardic dysrhythmia
dizziness, sob, loc
What is a daily intervention to ensure a cardiac monitor's accuracy
change the electrodes daily
What constitutes sinus bradycardia
P wave present, normal qrs, less than 60 beats/min
What does the P wave represent on the strip?
atrial depolarization
what is the most oxygenated vessel in the body
the aorta
Development of a PE
What are the steps to preparing skin for EKG electrode placement?
1. clip chest hair
2. wipe skin clean
3. check for adhesive allergy
4. rub telemetry electrodes to ensure they stick to the skin
how would you identify a 2nd degree mobitz type 1 heart block on an ekg
the p-q interval will get longer and longer until a qrs will eventually drop, then the p-q interval will restart
What does the qrs complex represent?
What is the term for an abnormal beat auscultated in a heart beat
An ectopic beat
-Call for help/defibrillator
-ensure IV access
-initiate CPR
How does a demand pacemaker function?
It will fire after the hearts cardiac activity drops below a preset amount.
What can recurrent PVCs turn into?
v-tach
What does the t-wave on the strip represent?
Ventricular repolarization
What would you watch for after administering atropine sulfate?
an increased heartrate
If your patient is showing runs of vtach on the cardiac monitor and is exhibiting dyspnea and feeling light-headed - what are your priority nursing actions
Take a set of vitals and call the doctor to discuss cardioversion
What would you see on a telemetry strip if a patient is AV paced?
a tic mark before the p-wave and a tic mark before the QRS complex
What constitutes sinus tachycardia
regular and normal p-qrs complexes with a rate greater than 100 bpm
what is PEA
Pulseless Electrical Activity; an electrical rhythm without a pulse
What is the proper way to administer adenosine
push it quickly followed by a saline flush.
If you see irregular, jagged qrs complexes accompanied by an unconscious, pulseless patient - what rhythm are they in?
V-fib
name 3 dangerous heart rhythms
complete heart block, v-fib, v-tach
How would you identify a third degree heart block on an cardiac monitor?
the qrs complexes and the p-waves would not correlate (they would be occurring randomly)