EKG Flashcards
Electrocardiograph
The machine that records an electrocardiogram
Amplitude
Also known as gain
the degree of change; in an EKG tracing it is represented by the vertical axis
12-lead
10 placements in body
Records heart activity from 12 angles & planes
each small vertical square…
represents 0.1 millivolts (mv)
each small horizontal square…
represents 0.04 seconds
paper speed
25 mm/sec
normal amplitude
10 mm or 1mv
Bipolar
recording of electrical current involving both a positive and negative pole
Unipolar
recording from one location or one pole
Augmented
A unipolar recording that requires assisting in magnifying the tracing by drawing from other poles
Precordial
Located on the chest in front of the heart
Performing an EKG
-Patient should be instructed to avoid applying any substance to skin prior to testing (lotion, powder, oils, ointment)
-clean skin with alcohol wipes or soap & water at attachment sites
-clip hair at the attachment area
Electrode & Lead Placement
the limb electrodes should be placed on fleshy areas of the skin & within the same general vicinity on each limb
Ex. if the left lower leg has been amputated, it can be necessary to place the electrode on the left lower abdomen AND the right lower leg electrode would be placed on the right lower abdomen
Which Leads are Bipolar?
Lead I
Lead II
Lead lll
Bipolar leads
record impulses that travel from the negative to positive pole at specific positions in the heart
Lead I
records impulses between the Left & Right arms
Lead II
records impulses between the Right arm and Left leg
Lead III
records impulses between the Left arm and Left leg
Which Leads are Unipolar?
Lead AVL
Lead AVR
Lead AVF
AVL
the Left leg and Right arm assist with Left arm tracing
left leg + right arm –» Left Arm tracing
AVR
the Left arm and Left leg assist with the Right arm tracing
left arm + left leg –» Right arm tracing
AVF
the Right and Left arm assist with Left leg tracing
White
right arm
snow over grass
Black
left arm
smoke over fire
Red
left leg
smoke over fire
Green
right leg
snow over grass
V1
red
V2
yellow
V3
green
V4
blue
V5
orange
V6
purple
All Precordial Leads are…
Unipolar
V1
right side of sternum at 4th intercostal space
V2
left side of sternum, directly across from V1 at 4th intercostal space
V3
left side of chest
midway between V2 and V4
V4
left side of chest
5th intercostal space
midclavicular line
V5
left side of chest
5th intercostal space
anterior axillary line
V6
left side of chest
5th intercostal space
midaxillary line
