PC 615 test 1 - Sheet1(1) Flashcards
(193 cards)
Reasons to order an ECG
To provide support for a diagnosis. Questionable cardiovascular complaint, including chest pain, dyspnea, and dizziness, routine physical exams (to obtain a baseline), pre-op, and for individuals starting exercise programs. Quick and inexpensive, non-invasive.
Downfall of ECG
Can provide false positives and false negatives. Brief view of heart, not 100% specific, specific lead placement required, doesn’t specifically diagnose MI, many normal variations, difficult to interpret, and cannot replace thorough H&P.
Important information to gather along with the ECG
Complete history and complete physical exam
Information provided by the ECG
Rhythm disturbances, conduction abnormalities, electrolyte disturbances, medication/drug effects, chamber enlargement, ischemia, mass of cardiac muscle, and orientation of heart in the chest
What cardiac leads of an ECG do
Provide a view of the heart’s electrical activity between two points and each has a negative and positive pole.
Measurement of smallest boxes on ECG paper
1 mm
Measurement between heavy lines on ECG paper
5 small boxes
Time measurements of boxes on ECG
Large blocks = 3 seconds; 30 large blocks = 6 seconds
Wave forms on ECG
Represents the heart’s electrical activity that occurs in one cardiac cycle
P wave
First component of normal ECG and represents artial depolarization.
ECG indications of atrial hypertrophy - such as tricuspid valve stenosis or pulmonary hypertension
Peaked notched or inverted P waves
Indication of broad or bifid P waves
Anything that causes left atrium hypertrophy, such as mitral stenosis
ECG indications of retrograde conduction through AV junction
Inverted P wave
Indication if P wave does not precede the QRS
Heart block may be present
Indication of a prolonged PR interval
Conduction delay as with digoxin or heart block
QRS wave
Represents depolarization of the ventricles.
Indication of deep and wide Q wave
Possible MI and also buncle branch blocks
Pathological Q wave
Depth is greater than 33% of height of next R wave or if the Q wave is 0.04 seconds or more.
Indication of pathological Q wave
Dead non-conducting tissue
Indication of notched R wave
Possible bundle branch block
Indication of tall R wave
Left ventricular hypertrophy in V5 or V6
Indication of missing QRS
Possible AV block or ventricular standstill
What does the ST segment measure
The end of ventricular conduction and beginning of re-polarization
J joint
Located at the end of the QRS complex and the beginning of the ST segment