EKG

Question 1

Depolarization

Answer 1

a change in electrical charge from negative to positive; causes the heart to contract

Question 2

Repolarization

Answer 2

a change in electrical charge from positive back to negative; causes the heart muscle to relax

Question 3

Sinoatrial Node

Answer 3

pacemaker of the heart, sets the timing of the heart’s contractions

Question 4

Atrioventricular Node

Answer 4

slows down the impulse to allow the atria and ventricles to contract at different times

Question 5

Isoelectric line

Answer 5

the straight line between the upward and downward movements

Question 6

Positive wave

Answer 6

an inflection upward from the baseline

Question 7

Negative wave

Answer 7

a deflection downward from the baseline

Question 8

Segment

Answer 8

area between 2 waves

Question 9

Interval

Answer 9

a wave and a segment together

Question 10

Complex

Answer 10

several waves together

Question 11

Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR)

Answer 11

when the heart is functioning normally

Question 12

P wave

Answer 12

atrial depolarization; contraction of the atria

Question 13

QRS complex

Answer 13

ventricular depolarization; contraction of the ventricles

Question 14

T wave

Answer 14

ventricular repolarization; relaxation of the ventricles

Question 15

what leads do you use for extended monitoring

Answer 15

3 or 5 leads

Question 16

Telemetry monitoring

Answer 16

monitors a patient’s EKG on an ongoing basis, 5 lead wires

Question 17

Ambulatory monitoring

Answer 17

used when a pt is not hospitalized; Holter monitors are a common type

Question 18

Event monitors

Answer 18

only record the heart’s electrical activity when the pt presses a button

Question 19

Mobile cardiac telemetry

Answer 19

a type of ambulatory monitoring; automatically alerts a healthcare professional if an irregular heart rate or rhythm is detected

Question 20

12-lead EKG

Answer 20

first test done when pt has chest pain or other S/S of heart problems, used for stress test

Question 21

Leads I, II, and III

Answer 21

limb leads, bipolar leads

Question 22

Leads aVR, aVL, and aVF

Answer 22

augmented limb leads; used same electrodes as leads I, II, and III but are unipolar leads

Question 23

Leads V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6

Answer 23

precordial leads, chest leads; electrodes are placed in a line across the chest; unipolar leads

Question 24

Dextrocardia

Answer 24

a rare heart condition that causes the heart ot point to the right side of the chest rather than the left side; chest electrodes must be placed over the heart on the right side of the chest

Question 25

V4R placement

Answer 25

For pediatric pts V4R placement may be required due to their small chests

Question 26

Posterior EKG

Answer 26

can help diagnose an inferior wall myocardial infarction; V4, V5, and V6 electrodes are placed on the back (now called V7, V8, and V9)

Question 27

how to position a pregnant person for ekg

Answer 27

Pts over 6 months pregnant should not be placed in supine position for an EKG but instead tilted slightly to the left

Question 28

Artifact

Answer 28

interference or distortion

Question 29

Standard paper speed

Answer 29

25 mm/s

Question 30

Gain

Answer 30

changes the sensitivity; how high or low the stylus moves

Question 31

Standard gain

Answer 31

10 mm/mV

Question 32

Calibration marker

Answer 32

a rectangle at the start of a strip; should be 5 mm wide by 10 mm tall

Question 33

1 small box

Answer 33

0.1 mV, 0.04 secs

Question 34

1 big box

Answer 34

0.5 mV, 0.2 secs

Question 35

PR Segment

Answer 35

0.12 - 0.20 secs

Question 36

QRS Complex

Answer 36

0.04 - 0.10 secs

Question 37

QT Segment

Answer 37

0.36 - 0.44 secs