EKG part 2

Question 1

P wave

Answer 1

represents Atrial Depolarization or Contraction

Question 2

QRS wave

Answer 2

represents Ventricular Depolarization or Contraction

(Atrial repolarization is not visible but occurs during this phase)

Question 3

T wave

Answer 3

represents Ventricular Repolarization or Relaxation

Question 4

U wave

Answer 4

Not always visible but represents a repolarization of the bundle of His & Purkinje fibers

Question 5

P-R interval

Answer 5

the length of time from the beginning of Atrial Depolarization to the beginning of Ventricular Depolarization

Question 6

Repolarization

Answer 6

Systole; Relaxtion

Question 7

Depolarization

Answer 7

Diastole; Contraction

Question 8

bundle of His

Answer 8

a collection of fibers that conduct the electrical impulses from the AV node to the Ventricular septum

Question 9

Purkinje fibers

Answer 9

the fingerlike projections that spread through the ventricular muscle & initiate ventricular contraction

Question 10

MA is ___ expected to interpret EKG

Answer 10

is NOT

Question 11

Arrhythmia

Answer 11

irregular heartbeat

Question 12

Sinoatrial (SA) node

Answer 12

the natural pacemaker of the heart located in the upper right atrium

Question 13

Atrioventricular (AV) node

Answer 13

the secondary pacemaker located at the junction of the atria & ventricles

Question 14

Normal Sinus Rhythm

Answer 14

regular rhythm rate of 60-100 bpm

Question 15

Sinus Bradycardia

Answer 15

is a normal EKG tracing
heart rate less than 60/min

Question 16

Sinus Tachycardia

Answer 16

heart rate greater than 100/min
normal b/c there is a P wave for each QRS wave

Question 17

Sinus Arrest

Answer 17

-a break in the normal EKG
-SA node fails to fire (absence of electrical activity initiated by SA node)
-not significant unless the arrest lasts longer than 6 seconds

-no electrical activity = no depolarization & contraction
-a warning sign for cardiac arrest
-let the provider know ASAP

Question 18

Atrial Flutter

Answer 18

-NO regular rhythm
-the atria are contracting at a rapid rate much faster than the ventricles are contracting

-loss of isoelectric baseline
-fluttering P waves
-concerning, let the provider know ASAP

Question 19

Atrial Fibrillation

Answer 19

-A-fib
-irregularly irregular rhythm
-there is NO organized contraction of the atria
-atria are in a quivering state where blood clot formation due to stagnation of the blood in the ventricles is possible

-No P wave
-absence of isoelectric baseline
-at risk for stroke, blood clots

Question 20

Ventricular Fibrillation

Answer 20

-V-fib
-chaotic irregular deflections of varying amplitude
-the ventricles are not contracting but quivering & there are no discernable waves noted through the tracing

-NO identifiable P waves, QRS complex, or T waves
-rate 150-500 per min.

-will cardiac arrest, ask for help + CPR

Question 21

Asystole

Answer 21

-the heart stops
-the patient has NO rhythm noted

-flatline
-cessation of electrical & mechanical activity in wave
-patient is IN cardiac arrest
-ask for help + CPR immediately

Question 22

Premature Ventricular Contraction

Answer 22

-Atrial rhythm is regular
-Ventricular rhythm is irregular

-QRS complex premature
-QRS complex is wide and distorted

-not an emergency but let Dr. know

Question 23

Normal P wave

Answer 23

should be Positively Deflected

if it is Negatively Deflected, a junctional dysrhythmia is likely to present — this means that the typical impulse pathway from SA to AV node is not occurring

–» the initial impulse is originating in the AV junction, AV node, or some ectopic source

Question 24

EKG artifacts

Answer 24

1. Somatic Tremors
   muscle movement
2. AC interference
   external electricity
3. Wandering Baseline
   lotion, oils, powders, sweat