EKG the Basics

Question 1

What is a 12 lead EKG?

Answer 1

12 views, 12 pictures of the EKG. Separated by hasmarks

Question 2

How long is the standard EKG?

Answer 2

10 seconds

Question 3

What is the standard speed of the paper? What if this is not?

Answer 3

25 mm/sec

Can throw the calculations off

Question 4

What is amplitude AKA? What is it? What is standard settings?

Answer 4

AKA gain

bigger the gain

limb = 10
chest = 10

This is standard, and gives criteria

Question 5

What do you do first for an EKG?

Answer 5

Confirm it is the right patient

Question 6

Does EKG require informed consent?

Answer 6

No

Question 7

What can an EKG show?

Answer 7

Structure of heart
r/r of heart
electricity of the heart
plumbing of the heart
toxic effects of medications

Question 8

If you suspect an MI, what’s the first thing you order?

Answer 8

an EKG

Question 9

What are the downsides of EKG?

Answer 9

artifacts
interpretation error
performance error (have to put leads in the right place)
Only get 10 seconds - if they are not actively having chest pain it might not show up

Question 10

What makes the lines in the EKG?

Answer 10

Depolarization and repolrization of myocardial cells

SA node, AV node, and Perkinje fibers are too small to pick up

Question 11

What is the electrical system of the heart

Answer 11

SA node (in right atrium) to AV node, which splits to left bundle branch and right bundle branch that depolarize at the same time

Question 12

What leads to a higher amplitude in an EKG?

Answer 12

The amount of myocytes

Question 13

What is the amplitude and seconds of each box?

Answer 13

0.04 sec
0.1 mV

Question 14

What is the first

Answer 14

P (atrial deploarization)

R
T = ventricular relaxation

Question 15

What is the QRS?

Answer 15

Ventricular depolarization

Question 16

What is the Q?

Answer 16

The first negative deflection if there is one

Question 17

What is an S?

Answer 17

If R goes below the baseline

Question 18

What is an RSR’?

Answer 18

Goes down, but it does not cross the baseline

Question 19

What are interval vs segment?

Answer 19

Interval = includes the

PR segment = AV node that allows ventricular filling, the longer this is the more it can fill

ST segment = ventricle squeeze

QT interval = ventricular depolarization and repolarization

Question 20

What are the 3 types of cells that make up the electrical system of the heart

Answer 20

Pacemaker
Conduction cells
Myocytes

Question 21

QRS

Answer 21

ventricular dep

Question 22

P wave

Answer 22

atrial depolar

Question 23

atrial repolar

Answer 23

happens in QRS, meaning you don’t see it

Question 24

What are the 12 leads for?

Answer 24

To get different views, and may change the waveform depending on how close they are.

Set up like cameras (electricity towards one camera)

Question 25

What is depolarization of an EKG dependent on?

Answer 25

Depolarization
Moving TOWARD an electrode – POSITIVE deflection
Moving AWAY from an electrode – NEGATIVE deflection
Repolarization
Moving TOWARD an electrode – NEGATIVE deflection
Moving AWAY from an electrode – POSITIVE deflection

Question 26

What are the 4 electrodes on the limbs?

Answer 26

RA (right arm)
LA
RL
LL (left leg)

Question 27

Where are V1 and V2?

Answer 27

V1 = Right atrium and right ventricle
deflection will look negative because the V1

V2 = Left atrium/ left ventricle

Question 28

What limb leads do you do?