CH 4 Key Terms

alternating current (AC)

Other markings on the ECG caused by other electrical current sources

angle of Louis

a Ridge about an inch or so below the suprasternal notch where the main part of the sternum and the top of the sternum, known as the manubrium, are attached

anterior axillary line

An imaginary vertical line starting at the front axilla that extends down the left side of the chest

dextrocardia

when the heart is on the opposite or right side of the chest

disinfection

The process of killing pathogens

intercostal space (ICS)

the space between two ribs

Medical asepsis (clean technique)

Health care practices that help to remove or reduce the number of pathogens (microbes that can cause disease or infection) on a surface, thereby reducing the chances of disease transmission. Medical asepsis includes practices like hand washing, sanitization (cleaning), and disinfection.

midaxillary line

an imaginary vertical line that starts at the middle of the axilla (armpit) and extends down the side of the chest

midclavicular line

An imaginary line on the chest that runs vertically through the center of the clavicle

midscapular line

an imaginary line on the back that runs vertically through the center of the scapula

paraspinous line

an imaginary line on the spine that runs vertically through the side of the spine

posterior axillary line

an imaginary line on the back that runs vertically from the shoulder down on the outer edge of the rib cage

sanitization

Also known as cleaning, is the lowest level of asepsis. It is the removal of visible organic and inorganic material from objects and surfaces

seizure

an interruption of the electrical activity in the brain that causes involuntary muscle movement and sometimes unconsciousness

somatic tremor

voluntary or involuntary muscle movement; Also known as body tremor

suprasternal notch

the dip you feel at the anterior base of the neck just above the manubrium, where the clavicle attaches to the sternum

wandering baseline

artifact in which the tracing drifts away from the center of the graph paper ; Also known as baseline shift