Cardiac Anatomy
This chamber receives all of the deoxygenated blood in the entire body
Right atrium
The 6 electrodes across the chest are also called this.
What are precordial leads?
Electrical activity from a source other than the heart that the electrodes detect.
Artifact
Irregularities in the heart rhythm.
What are dysrhythmias or arrhythmias?
This test assesses the heart's conduction system when the demand for oxygen increases (physical or chemical)
What is a stress test?
Known as heart’s pacemaker; it controls myocardial polarity.
Sinotrial (SA) node
Limb leads
This artifact is caused by a detached electrode or could be a cardiac arrest.
What is a flat line?
A non-invasive test that records the electrical activity of the heart.
ECG or EKG
This test uses ultrasound to view the heart in motion.
What is echocardiography?
This vessel comes after the Left Ventricle where blood is distributed systemically
Aorta
Each large square on the ECG paper equals this.
What is 0.2 seconds?
Uniform, small spikes are noted on this artifact and could be caused by wires crossing or improper grounding.
What is AC Interference?
The heart’s cardiac conduction system can be sensed throughout the body.
Electrical impulses
This test is known as an ambulatory ECG.
What is Holter monitoring?
The name for the thickest layer of the heart, also known as the muscular layer.
Myocardium
This limb lead is considered the ground lead.
What is the R leg lead?
This artifact has large erractic spikes seen per the limb leads and is caused my patient movement.
What is somatic interference?
Adhesive pads placed on specific areas of the skin to detect cardiac electrical charges then transmit them to a computer for amplification of the signal and recording on paper.
Electrodes
The most common type of ECG, records the electrical activity of the heart simultaneously from 12 different views.
12-lead EKG
The electrical impulse that initiates a chain reaction resulting in contraction of the atria or ventricles.
Depolarization (P wave and QRS Complex)
This precordial lead is placed at the L midclavicular line, on the 5th intercostal space.
What is the V4 electrode?
Poor skin prep, loose electrodes, and improper electrode placement will cause this artifact.
Wandering baseline
This dysrhythmia is seen in patients experiencing an MI.
What is ventricular fibrillation?
What two things may the patient be most concerned with about the EKG procedure?
Being exposed and electricity. Maintain patient dignity, explain the procedure and reassure the patient.