ECG Practical

Question 1

Does blood pressure measure the systemic or the pulmonary system?

Answer 1

only the systemic - cannot get access to the pulmonary system to measure

Question 2

What is systolic blood pressure?

Answer 2

the blood pressure when the ventricles are contracted

this is when the ventricles are pumping with enough force to overcome the pressure of the cuff

Question 3

What is the average systolic blood pressure?

Answer 3

Males - 120mmHg
Females - 110mmHg

as a general rule, adding 100 to a patient’s age is a safe range

Question 4

What is diastolic blood pressure?

Answer 4

the blood pressure when the ventricles are relaxed

this is when there is a steady flow of blood, the pressure of the blood is enough to keep the arteries open even when the ventricles are relaxed

Question 5

What is the average diastolic blood pressure?

Answer 5

Males - 80mmHg

Females - 70mmHg

Question 6

What is hypertension?

Answer 6

where the diastolic blood pressure is >10mmHg above the normal

Question 7

Where is carbon dioxide monitored in the body?

Answer 7

• carotid artery

- aorta

Question 8

Which nerve do sympathetic impulses travel to INCREASE the heart rate?

Answer 8

accelerator nerve

Question 9

Which nerve do parasympathetic impulses travel to DECREASE the heart rate?

Answer 9

vagus nerve

Question 10

How does heart rate increase the blood pressure?

Answer 10

CO = SV x HR - heart rate increases and increases the cardiac output

MAP = CO x TPR - if cardiac output is increased then so is the blood pressure

Question 11

What are the issues with blood pressure being too high?

Answer 11

can cause damage to arteries/heart/organs that could lead to a stroke/kidney damage/thrombosis

Question 12

What are the issues with blood pressure being too low?

Answer 12

fainting/dizziness

Question 13

On an ECG, how many small squares are there in 1 minute?

Answer 13

1500 small squares

Question 14

On an ECG, a small square corresponds to how long in seconds?

Answer 14

0.04 seconds per small square

Question 15

On an ECG, a large square corresponds to how long in seconds?

Answer 15

0.20 seconds per large square

Question 16

What are the four questions to ask when considering if a heart beat has normal/sinus rhythm?

Answer 16

1. Are the P waves normal?
2. Is the QRS too wide? (over 0.12 seconds)
3. Is every P wave followed by a QRS complex? (1:1 ratio)
4. Is the heart rate and the rhythm normal?

Question 17

How do you calculate the heart rate (R - R interval) on an ECG?

Answer 17

1500 (small squares in one minute) DIVIDED by the number of small squares in the R - R interval

e.g. 1500 / 22 = 68bpm

Question 18

What on the ECG makes the heart rhythm irregular?

Answer 18

if the LONGEST R - R interval and the SHORTEST R - R interval differ by at least 0.16 seconds

Question 19

What is sinus tachycardia and the characteristics of it on an ECG?

Answer 19

where the heart is beating to fast, over 100bpm

• PR interval is SHORTER (usually between 0.12 - 0.20 seconds)
• QRS complex is normal (less than 0.12 seconds)
• P waves are normal, height may increase
• P:QRS ratio is normal
• Rhythm is regular

note that in infants/children the HR is 110-115 bpm

Question 20

What is sinus bradycardia and the characteristics of it on an ECG?

Answer 20

where the heart is beating to slow, less than 60bpm

• regular rhythm
• P waves are normal
• P:QRS ratio is normal
• PR interval is normal (usually between 0.12 - 0.20 seconds)
• QRS complex is normal (less than 0.12 seconds)

Question 21

What is sinus ‘arrhythmia’?

Answer 21

• irregular heartbeat
• faster heartbeat
• slower heartbeat

Question 22

Where in the body do you measure pulse?

Answer 22

• RADIAL, used the most often, on the wrist
• CAROTID, on the neck, sternocleidomastoid muscle
• BRACHIAL, on the arm, usually for infants instead of using the carotid