Term
| List the five step approach to interpreting an EKG. |
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Definition
1. Step 1: Heart rate
2. Step 2: Heart rhythm
3. Step 3: P wave
4. Step 4: PR interval
5. Step 5: QRS complex |
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Term
| What are the five rules of P waves. |
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Definition
1. Are P waves present?
2. Are the P waves occurring regularly?
3. Is there one P wave present for each QRS complex present?
4. Are the P waves smooth, rounded, and upright in appearance, or are they inverted?
5. Do all the P waves look similar? |
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Term
| Name the 3 rules of the PR interval. |
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Definition
1. Are PR intervals greater than 0.20 seconds?
2. Are PR intervals less than 0.12 seconds?
3. Are PR intervals constant across the EKG strip? |
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Term
| The normal length of the PR interval. |
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Definition
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Term
| The normal interval of the QRS complex. |
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Definition
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Term
| What produces the T wave? |
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Definition
| The T wave is produced by ventricular repolarization or relaxation. |
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Term
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Definition
J point the point where the QRS
complex meets the ST segment |
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Term
| What are 4 causes of artifact |
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Definition
1. Patient movement—One type of artifact, called a wandering baseline, may be
produced when the patient moves about on the bed or gurney and can usually be
corrected when the patient lies still.
2. Loose or defective electrodes—When electrodes have lost contact with the pa-
tient’s skin or when the conductive gel on the electrode has dried, one type of ar-
tifact—which may appear as a “fuzzy baseline”—is called 60-cycle interference.
This may also result from clammy skin or excessive chest hair. Interference from
electrical equipment may also cause 60-cycle interference.
3. Improper grounding—Artifact can occur when the patient is in touch with an
outside source of electricity, such as a poorly grounded electrical bed; 60-cycle
interference may also be caused by improper grounding.
4. Faulty EKG apparatus—Broken wires or cables may produce artifact. This is
easily corrected by replacing the faulty wires with new ones. |
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