6.1 - ECG Machines

The latest models used in clinics are ______ devices that can be connected to ______ and print out and save the patient’s current ______:

handheld; computers; ECG

What do the software programs that accompany these powerful ECG devices do?

They provide overlays of several previous ECGs in the patient’s electronic medical record (EMR) to identify any current changes.

The purpose of an electrocardiogram is to measure ______ by magnifying the ______ through the ______ and recording ______ shown as ______ on ______:

heart muscle activity; sound of the electrical signal; chest wall muscles; graphic images of the amplified sound; waves; rhythm strips

What are electrodes, and what role do they play in an ECG?

Electrodes are attached to the skin to help with the conduction of the sound.

Electrodes have wires, called ______, that attach between each ______ and the ______ to transfer the ______:

leads; electrode; ECG machine; sound

What heart-related conditions can an ECG detect?

An ECG can detect previous myocardial events, enlargement of one side of the heart, abnormal rhythms, and other heart abnormalities.

The ECG does NOT measure the ______ of the heart and only records the ______, without ______:

mechanical contraction; blood pressure; analyzing it

What does the ECG NOT identify or measure?

The ECG does not identify cardiac output, nor can it measure cardiac muscle hypertrophy.

The noninvasive ECG is typically obtained in ______ ways:

three

What is a resting ECG, and how is it performed?

A resting ECG is taken while the patient relaxes in a supine (lying down) position. If the patient is experiencing severe pain or discomfort while in the supine position, the Fowler’s (sitting) position can be used instead, and the ECG is taken with a standard or portable ECG machine.

The second type of ECG is completed while the patient is ______; this is called a ______, which uses the ______ and a ______ or ______:

exercising; stress test; ECG machine; treadmill; stationary exercise bike

What is the third type of ECG, and how is it obtained?

The third type of ECG is a 24–48-hour monitoring ECG called a Holter monitor. It is attached to the patient and worn for 1 to 2 days during their everyday routine.

The Holter monitor is attached to the patient and is worn for ______ to ______ days during the course of the person’s ______:

1; 2; everyday routine

What are patients instructed to do while wearing a Holter monitor?

Patients must maintain a diary of events and press the event button on the Holter monitor whenever they feel cardiac discomfort.

The Holter monitor contains only ______ or ______ leads, as shown in ______:

five; seven; Figure 6-4

What is the primary purpose of the Holter monitor?

To capture any arrhythmias, heart irregularities, or patient events such as pain or chest tightness that occur during a 24-hour period, compared to the 10-second recording of a typical ECG.

This chapter primarily concentrates on ______ and ______ for the ______ ECG, even though the ______, ______, and ______ are similar for all three devices:

preparation; performance; resting; leads; electrodes; theory

Why are ECGs commonly used for diagnostic evaluations?

Because they are relatively inexpensive, can be performed easily in a doctor’s office or clinic, and provide quick results.

ECGs are often performed during ______ to develop a ______ of how the ______ is functioning or how an ______ is functioning:

physical exams; baseline; heart; implanted pacemaker

Why are ECGs administered before surgical procedures?

To identify potential risks that surgeons need to be aware of.

ECGs are used after ______ to verify ______:

heart-related surgical procedures; heart stability