ECG Module Flashcards
What is an EKG and what does it stand for?
an electrocardiogram. It is a recording of the electrical activity of the heart.
What is an EKG used for?
Primarily for diagnostic purposes, to detect:
1. enlargement of the heart muscle.
2. disturbances in the cardiac rhythm.
3. abnormal heart conditions.
4. Damage from previous heart attacks.
How many electrodes/ lead wires and leads does a standard 12- Lead EKG have?
10 electrodes and 12 leads.
What is the difference beween electrodes/ lead wires and leads?
- electrodes are the sticky pads placed on the skin.
- lead wires are connected to the the electrodes and transmit electrical activity to the EKG machine.
- Leads are the angles and views which the 10 electrodes give to view/ record the electrical impulses of the heart.
Why does an EKG have 12 leads even though there are only 10 electrodes?
Because the electrodes communicate with each providing us with more views and angles
Where do electrical impulses originate?
in the upper part of the right atrium called the Sinus node.
What is the sinus node aka as, and what does it do?
sinus node is also known as the pacemaker of the heart, and it is what causes the atria to contract.
Representation of the different steps of contraction on the EKG wave:
1. Atrial depolarization:
2. Ventricular depolarization:
3. Ventricular repolarization:
4. Atrial repolarization:
AD is represented as the P- wave.
1. P wave
2. QRS complex
3. T wave
4. Since the atrial repolarization occurs almost simultaneously with the ventricular depolarization (QRS complex),, it’s integrated into the QRS complex
Describe the process of atrial deplorization? and contraction
the SA node sends impulses through the atria causing the electrical charge to become less negative (depolarization). Following depolarization is the contraction of the atria which squeezes the blood into the ventricules.
Describe repolarization:
refers to the phase in which the cardiac muscle cells return to their resting phase after depolarization and prepare for the next contraction.
Describe the process of Ventricular depolarization? and contraction
the impusles reach the AV node, located in between the atria and the ventricualars.As the electrical impulses spread through the ventricular muscle cells via the Purkinje fibers, the cells undergo depolarization. When the heart’s lower chambers contract, they push blood out. This starts at the heart’s bottom and moves up.
From one chamber blood goes to lungs to get oxygen other it goes to org
How many ekg electrodes are there and where are they placed?
there are 10, and the placement is as follows: ( in order)
Limb electrodes-
1- RA
2- RL
3- LA
4- LL
Precordial electrodes-
5- V1
6- V2
7- V4
8- V3
9- V5
10- V6
what is an artifact when it comes to ekgs?
an interference or a distortion in the recorded electrical signals of the heart
What are the following artifacts caused by?
1. Wandering baseline
2. inturrpted baseline
3. electrical interference
4. somatic tremor-
5. neuromodulation-
- by poor electrode connection
- disconnected or broken lead wire
3, by electrical interfence by equipment or cell phones - by muscle movement
- implantable neurotransmitters
Define sinus tachycardia?
regualr cardiac rythms wiyh a HR exceeding 100 bpm.
P wave- normal
QRS complex- narrow
Pr interval- normal
