EKG Basics
This wave represents atrial depolarization on an EKG.
What is: The P wave.
This artifact is caused by muscle movement, such as shivering.
What is: Somatic Tremor.
The most common identifiers used to confirm a patient's identity before an EKG, besides checking the chart.
What are: Full name and date of birth.
This standard universal color is used for the left leg (LL) electrode.
What is: Red.
After the recording is complete, the MA should instruct the patient that they can now do this.
What is: talk or move as needed. (Basically talk, stretch, walk, sit up or whatever that requires movement and or speech)
The QRS complex represents this electrical activity in the heart.
What is: Ventricular depolarization.
This type of interference looks like uniform small spikes caused by nearby electronics or poor grounding.
What is: AC Interference.
This is the normal paper speed for an EKG in millimeters per second.
What is: 25 mm/second.
This is the specific anatomical landmark used for the placement of the V1 chest electrode.
What is: right side of the sternum at the fourth intercostal space (6 7 if you get this right)
If the patient experiences chest pain or shortness of breath while having the EKG, this is the very first thing the MA must do?
What is: Notify the provider.
This interval starts at the beginning of the P wave and ends at the beginning of the QRS complex.
What is: The PR interval.
This baseline issue occurs due to breathing movement or poor electrode connection.
What is: Wandering Baseline.
This substance serves as a conductor of impulses and is necessary to transmit heart activity from the body to the electrode.
What is: Electrolyte gel (or gel)
A lead that records impulses traveling from a negative pole to a positive pole at specific positions in the heart, such as Leads I, II, and III.
What is: Bipolar lead.
This is the required height, in millimeters, for a normal EKG standardization mark?
What is: 10mm.
Which wave represents ventricular repolarization?
What is: The T wave.
This artifact is recognized as a flat line with a sudden break, usually from a disconnected or broken lead wire.
What is: Interrupted Baseline.
A patient who cannot lie flat on their back should be placed in this position, with the head of the bed elevated to a 45-degree angle.
What is: The semi-Fowler's.
This precordial electrode is placed before V3 because its placement is based on the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line.
What is: V4.
A negative deflection of the R wave in this specific lead indicates that the limb leads were not attached correctly and need to be reattached.
What is: V1
Which interval represents the time from the beginning of ventricular depolarization to the end of ventricular repolarization?
What is: The QT interval.
Name two ways a medical assistant can reduce somatic tremor on an EKG tracing.
Provide patient comfort/warmth and reduce anxiety/movement.
(If at least two are mentioned then it will be counted as correct)
When preparing a male patient's chest for electrode placement, if hair is present this tool is the preferred method for removal to avoid causing microabrasions.
What is: surgical clippers (or clippers is fine too)
The electrode in a standard 12-lead EKG that is placed on the left side of the chest, fifth intercostal space, anterior axillary line.
What is: V5.
This patient doesn't minimize somatic tremor, an artifact caused by muscle movement, and keeps moving. What do you tell them?
What is: "lie still, breathe normally, and not talk" (or "breathe normally and hold their breath")