coursework Unit 2

Question 1

what are the principles of an ECG?

Answer 1

• they record the electrical activity generated by the heart muscle (depolarisation, which propogate in pulsating electrical waves towards the skin)
• electrical charge reaching the skin surface is very small but can be picked up reliably with ecg electrodes attached to the skin
• an ecg setup comprises at least 4 electrodes

Question 2

what are wet sensors?

Answer 2

ecg electrodes with highly conductive wet gel, allows adhesion to the skin
- increased conductiveness
- may need shaved skin for good contact

Question 3

what is the QRS complex

Answer 3

occurs when impulse is conducted down bundle of his + purkinji fibres to ventricles

Question 4

what is the order of excitation waves in ECGs

Answer 4

p wave, QRS complex, t wave

Question 5

what does the P WAVE show

Answer 5

DEPOLARISATION of the atria during atrial systole

Question 6

what does the QRS wave show

Answer 6

shows spread of depolarisation through ventricles resulting in VENTRICULAR SYSTOLE

Question 7

what does the T wave show

Answer 7

REPOLARISATION of the ventricles during ventricular diastole

Question 8

what is bradychardia

Answer 8

slow heartrate
- under 60 bpm (symptoms show under 50 bpm)
- symptoms= fatigue, weakness, dizzyness

Question 9

what is trachychardia

Answer 9

pulse of 100+ bpm

APPROPRIATE trachychardia can result from:
exersise, alchohol, caffeine, drugs & alchohol

INAPPROPRIATE trachicardia can result from:
congestive heart faliure, bleeding, anemia, fever

Question 10

what is hypertension

Answer 10

abnormally high blood pressure

• can put strain on arteries/organs
  140/bpm
• increase chances of heart attacks , angia or strokes
• strain on atreriole wall can produce small tears; injured tissue swells up & substances build up (cholesterol & fat) causing a PLAQUE= ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Question 11

what is hypotension?

Answer 11

low blood pressure
90/60 bpm

Question 12

what is systolic pressure?

Answer 12

MAXIMUM atrial pressure (during contraction of the left ventricle of the heart)

when pulse appears for the first time

Question 13

what is diastolic pressure?

Answer 13

the MINIMUM atrial pressure (during relaxation & dialation of the ventricles in the heart)

as soon as the pulse disappears towards the end of deflation

Question 14

tips of method of recording blood pressure

Answer 14

• measure arm to find the size of cuff
• allow space for 2 fingers
• straight posture
• reassure patient (“will feel tight/uncomfortable”)

Question 15

what is atherosclerosis

Answer 15

cause of narrowing of the vessels due to a build up of a fatty plaque