ECG Flashcards
what does ARI BAR stand for
A - any electrical activity
R - rate
I - irregular or regular
B - Broad or narrow (QRS complexes)
A - atrial activity
R - relationship between atrial and ventricular activity
what should you check before starting the ECG procedure (relating to the machine)
plugged in
switched on
enough paper
enough biotabs
all leads and tabs are stuck on
what should you double check before starting the ECG procedure (relating to the patient )
you have consent and have explained the procedure
arms/ legs and front of the chest are exposed
ensure the patient is confrontable, rested and warm
what should you check the trace for
that it is set up at the right speed and calibration
what is the right speed of the paper in a ECG
25mm/ sec
what should the calibration of a ECG machine be at
1mV = 1cm
what must you not do after removing the biotabs
stick them on your own skin
how many limb leads are there
4
where does the red limb lead go
right wrist
where does the yellow limb lead go
left wrist
where does the black limb lead go
right ankle
where does the green limb lead go
left ankle
what orientation should the biotabs on the wrist be in
the non sticky part should be facing down towards the centre of the body
what orientation should the biotabs on the ankles be in
the non sticky part should be facing up towards the centre of the body
how many precordium ECG modes are there
6
where does chest lead V1 go
4th intercostal space - to the right of the sternum
where does chest lead V2 go
4th intercostal space - to the left of the sternum
where does chest lead V3 go
midway between leads 2 and 4
where does chest lead V4 go
LEFT 5th intercostal space on the mid clavicular line
where does chest lead V5 go
between V4 and V6 on the same horizontal level - (or on the anterior axillary line)
where does chest lead V6 go
same horizontal level as V4 on the mid axillary line
what orientation should the biotabs on the front of the chest be in
all of them facing down to the stomach
what should you do after the completion of the ECG
label the 12 lead ECG
date and time the ECG
check if any symptoms were experienced during the procedure
how do you count heart rate from a ECG
count the QRS complexes in 30 (6 seconds) large squares and times by 10
how long does each large square represent
0.2 seconds
how long does each small square represent
0.04 seconds
what is the normal size for a QRS complex
less than 0.12 secs (3 smalls squares)
what is the general outline for taking a ECG
intro consent prepare procedure take everything off thank the patient
what should you do with a female patient surrounding the chest leads
put them below the breast tissue as it gives for a better pick up
how long should the PR interval be - what weird
(technically its the PQ interval)
between 0.12 and 0.2 seconds
what is the maximum time for the QT interval to last
0.42 seconds
