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Name 5 things we can learn from ECG's?
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Heart rate
Hearth rythm Conduction disturbances Presence of Myocardial Ischemia Presence of Myocardial Infarction Enlargement of cardiac chambers Effects of - electrolyte disturbances, hypothermia, cardiac drugs. |
Give 3 reasons a patient may require an ECG?
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Pre-operation check
CPFI (Chest pain for investigation) Insurance Palpitations Pilots Licence medical SOBFI (Shortness of breath for investigation) |
True or False: An ECG machine will record 12 views of the heart even though there are only 10 leads that are applied to the body?
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True
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How is an ECG performed?
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Electrodes are attached to the patients skin. These are able to sense tiny electrical currents that are generated by the heart and transmitted to the ECG machine.
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How many leads are put on the extremities (limbs)?
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Four
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Patients must remove these things before having an ECG?
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All clothing from the waist up
Stockings/pantyhose Hearing aids Mobile phones Coins & Keys in Pockets Wrist watches Any jewellery that may interfere with the tracing |
How long does an ECG procedure take?
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15 minutes approximately
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Apart from the normal ID process, what things must you find out from a patient before your proceed with an ECG?
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- The reason for the ECG
- Any medication they are taking - Their height and weight - Any symptoms - (Blood pressure - though we do not take blood pressure) |
Dean skin cells and fatty secretions at the electrode sites on the body can cause what?
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High electrical resistance
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Name the steps for good Skin Preparation?
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Always be aware of each patient's skin integrity (elderly skin, broken skin, scarred skin etc)
Shave if necessary (hairy chests/legs for example) Wipe the area with alcohol swab Gently rub area with abrading material |
The application of the electrodes on extremities are placed where?
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Flat surfaces of the inner wrist (left and right)
Flat surfaces above the inner ankle bone area (left and right) |
Electrode V1 on the chest is placed where?
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Fourth intercostal space at right border of sternum.
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Electrode V2 on the chest is placed where?
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Fourth intercostal space at the left border of sternum.
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Electrode V3 is placed where?
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Midway between V2 & V4
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Electrode V4 is placed where?
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Fifth intercostal space mid-clavicular line (directly below the nipple, under the breast)
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