Ch4 Performing an ECG Flashcards
What information must be included on the ECG requisition
Patient name, DOB, ID# or Medical Record #, located and date of recording, patient age, sex, race, and cardiac, and other meds they are taking, Wright, height, special condition or position foe the patient during recording
Can chills interfere with the ECG?
Yes
What should patients remove before an ECG?
Jewelry, watches, belt buckles, electronic devices, things in their pockets, or anything that can interfere with the electrode placement or touches the electrodes
If a patient is not able to respond, do you explain the procedure?
Yes
Should the bed or exam table touch the wall or any electrical equipment during the ECG?
No
What are some ways to maintain safety during an ECG?
Check the grounding prong is securley attached to the plug
Plug in machine securely
Ensure power cord is intact
Somatic tremor
Voluntary or involuntary muscle movement
Wandering baseline
Artiface in which the tracing drifts away from the center of the graph paper.
Aka. Baseline shift
Reasons for a wandering baseline?
Too loose or incorrect electrode application
Tension or pulling on electrode lead wires
Too little electrode gel solution
Old or dried out electrode gel or solution
Oil, lotion, dirt, or hair under electrodes
Poor or no skin preperstion
AC Interference
Alternating current Interference
U wanted marking on the ECG caused by other electrical current sources
What can cause AC interference?
Improper grounding
Other electrical equipment
Lead wires crossed
Other reasons
If there is AC Interference on Leads I and Lead II, where is the source of interference?
Right arm
If there is AC Interference on Leads I and Lead III, where is the source of interference?
Left arm
If there is AC Interference on Leads II and Lead III, where is the source of interference?
Left leg
Interrupted baseline
When one or more leads appears as a flatline on the ECG tracing.
Usually caused by unplugged leads
How should you report a STAT ECG?
Give the results directly and immediately to your supervisor or the physician
V3R
Placed like a V3 lead but on the right side
MCL
Modified Chest Lead
Dextrocardia
When the heart is on the opposite or right side of the chest
Right-side 12-lead ECG
Used for patients with dextrocardia
Limb leads are the same
Cheast leads are reversed
Posterior 12-lead ECG placements
V7 left posterior axillary line
V8 between V7 and V9
V9 left paraspinous border
V9R right paraspinous border
V8R right between V9R & V7R
V7R right posterior axillary line
What happens if a patient has a seizure during an ECG?
Remove any objects that may cause injury
Do not try to hold patient still
Loosen restrictive clothing
If possible position patient on his side with his head turned to the side
- once seizure is over, perform the ECG again and write on the ECG strip “postseizure”