ECG Practical Flashcards
(22 cards)
Does blood pressure measure the systemic or the pulmonary system?
only the systemic - cannot get access to the pulmonary system to measure
What is systolic blood pressure?
the blood pressure when the ventricles are contracted
this is when the ventricles are pumping with enough force to overcome the pressure of the cuff
What is the average systolic blood pressure?
Males - 120mmHg
Females - 110mmHg
as a general rule, adding 100 to a patient’s age is a safe range
What is diastolic blood pressure?
the blood pressure when the ventricles are relaxed
this is when there is a steady flow of blood, the pressure of the blood is enough to keep the arteries open even when the ventricles are relaxed
What is the average diastolic blood pressure?
Males - 80mmHg
Females - 70mmHg
What is hypertension?
where the diastolic blood pressure is >10mmHg above the normal
Where is carbon dioxide monitored in the body?
- carotid artery
- aorta
Which nerve do sympathetic impulses travel to INCREASE the heart rate?
accelerator nerve
Which nerve do parasympathetic impulses travel to DECREASE the heart rate?
vagus nerve
How does heart rate increase the blood pressure?
CO = SV x HR - heart rate increases and increases the cardiac output
MAP = CO x TPR - if cardiac output is increased then so is the blood pressure
What are the issues with blood pressure being too high?
can cause damage to arteries/heart/organs that could lead to a stroke/kidney damage/thrombosis
What are the issues with blood pressure being too low?
fainting/dizziness
On an ECG, how many small squares are there in 1 minute?
1500 small squares
On an ECG, a small square corresponds to how long in seconds?
0.04 seconds per small square
On an ECG, a large square corresponds to how long in seconds?
0.20 seconds per large square
What are the four questions to ask when considering if a heart beat has normal/sinus rhythm?
- Are the P waves normal?
- Is the QRS too wide? (over 0.12 seconds)
- Is every P wave followed by a QRS complex? (1:1 ratio)
- Is the heart rate and the rhythm normal?
How do you calculate the heart rate (R - R interval) on an ECG?
1500 (small squares in one minute) DIVIDED by the number of small squares in the R - R interval
e.g. 1500 / 22 = 68bpm
What on the ECG makes the heart rhythm irregular?
if the LONGEST R - R interval and the SHORTEST R - R interval differ by at least 0.16 seconds
What is sinus tachycardia and the characteristics of it on an ECG?
where the heart is beating to fast, over 100bpm
- PR interval is SHORTER (usually between 0.12 - 0.20 seconds)
- QRS complex is normal (less than 0.12 seconds)
- P waves are normal, height may increase
- P:QRS ratio is normal
- Rhythm is regular
note that in infants/children the HR is 110-115 bpm
What is sinus bradycardia and the characteristics of it on an ECG?
where the heart is beating to slow, less than 60bpm
- regular rhythm
- P waves are normal
- P:QRS ratio is normal
- PR interval is normal (usually between 0.12 - 0.20 seconds)
- QRS complex is normal (less than 0.12 seconds)
What is sinus ‘arrhythmia’?
- irregular heartbeat
- faster heartbeat
- slower heartbeat
Where in the body do you measure pulse?
- RADIAL, used the most often, on the wrist
- CAROTID, on the neck, sternocleidomastoid muscle
- BRACHIAL, on the arm, usually for infants instead of using the carotid
