Week 3 EKG Lead Placement Flashcards
what does an EKG do?
provides info about electrical system of the heart from 12 different views using 10 electrodes
what node is responsible for the automatic beating of the heart
SA node
what are indication for EKG? 4
diagnose abnormal conduction, arrythmias, pre-op assesments, abnormalities resulting from genetic factors
what are some contraindications to performing an EKG? 2
severe trauma to chest, uncooperative patient
what are the complications to doing and EKG?
none
to what extent should a patient be clothed for an EKG?
removed clothing from waste up
what is the standard patient position?
supine(face up on back)
what is the max angle the head can be for EKG
45 deg
what happens if a patient cannot lie flat w/ head under 45 deg?
document altered EKG position (this can impact tracing)
what step must you do before placing leads and after positioning the patient?
skin prep (gives best electrical conduction)
what is involved in skin prep?
de-fat skin with alcohol wipe and then abrade skin with gauze pad
if skin is oily what do you do before alcohol and gauze?
wash with soap
what if the chest is hairy?q
separate hair or clip them
if skin is diaphoretic (sweaty) what steps do you do before alcohol wipe and gauze pad to clean it?
rub with gauze pad to dry
to place chest electrodes you will have to ____ and use ___
palpate and use landmarks
what if electrodes cannot be placed accurately?
clearly document the actual location of the electrode
where does electrode V1 go?
4th intercostal space, right sternal border
V2?
4th ICS, left sternal border
V3?
equadistant between V2 and V4
V4?
5th ICS at midclavicular line
V5?
horizontal to V4 at the anterior axillary line
V6?
horizontal to V4 at the midaxillary line
limb electrodes should be placed…
on fleshy areas of wrists and ankles avoiding bony prominence, on the same spot on each limb
what are the three main problems in a EKG?
electrical interference, wandering baseline, muscle tremor
how do you troubleshoot electrical interference?
alter electrical activity of the room
what is a wandering baseline?
wave form moves up and down over course of tracing
what casues wandering baseline?
poor lead connection
what does a muscle tremor look like on an EKG?
lines close together and spiking. not as long as the electical interference
how do you fix muscle tremors?
quiet the movements of the patient
before removing electrodes what do you do?
take recording to physician
electrode vs lead
electrode: sticky part
lead: alligator clips
