ECG Monitoring Flashcards
Review practice standards.
Slide 2
On a rhythm strip how many seconds is a small box?
0.04 seconds
On a rhythm strip how many seconds is a medium (5 small box) box?
0.20 seconds
What is the height of the medium box (5 small boxes)?
0.5 mV
How many seconds makes a true strip?
6 seconds
Interpret rhythm strip image.
Slide 6
What are the difference waves that make up an ECG?
represent the sequence of depolarization and repolarization of the atria and ventricles
The ECG is recorded at a speed of _______.
25 mm/sec
Each small 1-mm square represents ________ in time and _______
0.04 sec (40 msec), 0.1 mV in voltage.
Identify the P wave. What does it represent?
Represents depolarization of the atria as the electrical impulse moves from the SA node to the atria.
How can the atrial rate be calculated?
by determining the time interval between the p waves.
Identify the P wave. What is the normal P wave distance in seconds?
Normal 0.08 - 0.10s.
Identify the P-R interval. What occurs in the P-R interval?
The period of time from the onset of the P wave to the beginning of the QRS complex. The PR Interval represents the time between the onset of atrial depolarization and the onset of ventricular depolarization.
Identify the P-R interval. What is the normal PR interval?
Normal 0.12 – 0.20s
Identify the QRS complex. What is occuring during this?
Represents ventricular depolarization
Identify the QRS complex. What is the normal length of the QRS complex?
Normal 0.06 – 0.10s.
How is the ventricular rate determined?
can be calculated by determining the time interval between QRS complexes
What effects the shape of the QRS complex?
changes depending on which leads are being viewed.
Identify the ST segment. What is occuring here?
The isoelectric period following the QRS complex. This is the time at which the entire ventricle is depolarized.
Identify the T wave. What is occuring here?
Represents ventricular repolarization, which is longer in duration than depolarization
What is a U wave? What does it represent?
Sometimes a small positive U wave may be seen following the T wave (not shown). This wave represents the last remnants of ventricular repolarization
Identify the QT interval. What is occuring here?
Represents the time for both ventricular depolarization and repolarization to occur.
What effect does high heart rates have on the QT interval?
ventricular action potentials shorten in duration, which decreases the Q-T interval.
What is true about the Q-T interval in clinical practice?
In practice, the Q-T interval is expressed as a “corrected Q-T (QTc)” by taking the Q-T interval and dividing it by the square root of the R-R interval (interval between ventricular depolarizations
What is the correct Q-T (QTC) allow for assessment of?
This allows an assessment of the Q-T interval that is independent of heart rate
What is the normal corrected Q-Tc intervals?
are less than 0.44 seconds.
What is the J point?
denotes the junction of the QRS complex and the ST segment on ECG marking the end of depolarization and beginning of repolarization
Where does repolarization phase start?
•at the junction, or j point and continues until the T wave
What is the location of the ST segment?
The ST segment is normally at or near the baseline
What are the six steps to rhythm strip interpretation?
- Is the overall rhythm regular or irregular
- What is the atrial and ventricular heart rate (HR)
- What is the appearance of the P wave?
- Are the P-R intervals of normal duration and are they fixed?
- Based upon the response to question four, it can be determined if a relationship exists between the p wave and the adjacent QRS complex
- What is the appearance of the QRS complex?
What needs to be determined if the rhythm is irregular?
is it due to premature beat(s), a delay in the conduction of impulses, or due to an irregular discharge from the primary pacemaker source?
What needs to be determined about the appearance of the P wave?
Assess for the origin of atrial depolarization
The p wave is __________ in lead 2 when it originates from the SA node.
upright
The p wave is __________ in lead 2 when it originates from the A-V node.
Inverted
What can be assumed about 1:1 ventricular conduction?
present (p waves conduct adjacent QRS complexes) whenever P-R intervals measure out to be the same (are fixed).
What does a narrow QRS complex means?
the beat originated above the ventricles (it was supraventricular
What is true about the QRS if it is wide?
it originated in the ventricle (e.g. PVC) or above the ventricle (supraventricular with aberrant ventricular conduction – looks like a PVC but is not
Where do junctional rhythms originate?
the SA node is not the origin of the electrical activity of the heart – the atrio-ventricular (AV) node is.
What two junctional rhythms will we look at in regard to this course?
There are multiple types of junctional rhythms. We will look at two – junctional escape and junctional tachycardia.
What is true regarding the treatment of junctional rhythms?
Treatment for either of these junctional rhythms is rarely needed. If either rhythm is noted, assess patient stability and monitor.
Identify the rhythm and if it is regular or irregular.
Junctional Escape
- Rhythm: Regular
What are the typical rates for junctional escape?
- 40-60bpm
- 60-100bpm (accelerated)
Identify the rhythm. Describe the P waves, PR interval and QRS complex characteristics of this rhythm.
Junctional Escape
- P waves: Inverted before or after QRS or not visible
- PR Interval: <0.12sec when inverted p is before QRS
- QRS: 0.04 – 0.10 second
Identify this rhythm. What are causes of this rhythm (9)?
Junctional Escape
- Healthy athlete at rest
- Related to medications
- Increased parasympathetic tone
- Acute inferior wall MI
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Post-cardiac surgery
- Valvular disease
- SA node disease
- Hypoxia
What are some medications that can cause this rhythm (3)?
Junctional Escape
- beta blockers
- calcium channel blockers
- digitalis toxicity
Identify this rhythm and if it is regular or irregular.
Junctional Tachycardia
- Rhythm: Regular