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Acidosis
An increase in the hydrogen ion concentration of the blood, lowering its pH and causing many undesirable effects.
Artifact
Markings on the EKG that do not come from the heart’s conduction system but from some other cause, either from the patient or outside the patient.
atrial kick
the extra blood the atria can eject into the ventricles a sa result of slowdown the AV node.
contract
decrease in length
defibrillation
the process of sending an electrical shock to the heart in an attempt to restore an acceptable heart rhythm
depolarization
activation of the cells of the heart by an electrical impulse for the purpose of initiating a contraction.
diaphragm
the dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen, moving downward to allow the lungs to expand during inhalation and promoting exhalation as it rises upward
dysrhymia
abnormal heart rhythm
ectopic
originating in an area of the heart other than the sinoatrial node.
electrolyte
a chemical substance that develops an electrical charge, can conduct an electrical current when placed in water, and is essential in specific amounts to maintain many bodily functions.
heart failure
disorder in which the heart fails to pump blood efficiently, resulting in severe complications.
hyperthyroidism
high levels of thyroid hormone, causing a rapid metabolism
hypothermia
body temperature below the expected reference range
hypothyroidism
low levels of thyroid hormone, causing a slow metabolism
intercostal
between the ribs
ischemia
lack of blood supply to tissues due to a block vessel that provides circulation to that area
mediastinum
the group of organs and tissues that separate the lungs, including the heart and its large blood vessels
myocardial
related to the heart muscle
orthopnea
ability to breathe without difficulty only when in an upright position (sitting or standing)
pacemaker
a natural or artificial source of electrical current that causes depolarization of the heart muscle.
palpitations
sensations of a rapid or irregular heartbeat that the patient can feel in the chest or throat.
precordial
in front of the heart
repolarization
relaxation of the heart muscle in its resting state
semilunar
half-moon shaped
sternum
flat bone in the middle of the chest; breastbone
tension pneumothorax
an accumulation of air or gas in the pleural space that results from a lacerated ling or an opening in the chest wall, often as a complication of other types of pneumothorax
tortuous
having multiple twists and turns
visceral
referring to internal organs inside a body cavity
