EKG/ECG Results

Question 1

What are the 5 things documented for an EKG to meet all billing requirements?

Answer 1

1. rate
2. rhythm
3. intervals
4. axis
5. ST segment

Question 2

Normal heart rate is how many bpm? For tachycardia? For bradycardia?

Answer 2

N: 60-100 bpm
T: >100 bpm
B: <60 bpm

Question 3

RHYTHM

The pattern of a heart beat may be referred to as …

When normal:
Tachycardia:
Bradycardia:

Answer 3

N: sinus rhythm
T: sinus tachycardia
B: sinus bradycardia

Question 4

What is A. Fib (2)?

Answer 4

1. atrial fibrillation is a Dx characterized by the irregularly irregular heart rhythm
2. no pattern at all: intervals are haphazard and do no repeat

Question 5

What are some examples of irregular heart rhythms?

Answer 5

1. A. Fib
2. A. flutter
3. Ventricular fibrillation

Question 6

Your physician may refer to intervals, waves, and segments during EKG evaluation. He may mention…

Answer 6

INTERVALS

1. PR
2. RR
3. ST
4. QT

WAVES

1. P
2. T

SEGMENTS

1. ST
2. PR

OTHER

1. QRS complex
2. J-point

Question 7

Your physician may refer to the electrical heart axis as […]. If physician does not mention a particular directional shift, mark the axis as […].

Answer 7

N, left (LAD), or right (RAD); N

Question 8

STEMI:

non-STEMI:

Answer 8

ST-elevation myocardial infarction heart attack occurs when a patient’s coronary artery is completely blocked

Heart attack hen this artery is partially blocked

Question 9

What are the steps for STEM situation?

Answer 9

1. Ask the ED provider if they want the STEMI alert to be heard overhead and whether the physician needs to talk to the interventional cardiologist.
2. The physician will make sure to place appropriate orders. If portable CXR is ordered, call the radiology STAT.
3. If the Interventional Cardiologist does not call back within 10 min automatically repage or call them again. Ask the ED physician whether she wants you to call the General On-Call Cardiologist. NOTE THIS IN THE EMR.
4. Prior to pt departure, record the time the I.C. was paged and returned your call. If you don’t know the times, check with the nurse and physician.
5. Make sure to document the appropriate tasks.

Question 10

For a STEMI ALERT make sure to document the following

Answer 10

1. ECG interpretations including the times when each is completed
2. Current EMS info, pertinent labs, ED physician notations, nursing notes, medications given, CXR
3. Diagnosis and disposition
4. Critical care time

Question 11

What is the difference between the EKG reading in patients with a normal SR and those diagnosed with STEMI?

Answer 11

the ST segment is elevated