Chapter 45: Cardiology Procedures

The first part of the cardiac cycle is called:

atrial depolarization

ECGs are most often performed along with the routine annual physical examination every:

5-10 years

The ECG tracing is generated in about ____ on a single 8 × 10 sheet of ECG paper.

1 minute

Who interprets an ECG?

provider

ECG paper for single-channel machines comes in which form?

roll

The paper moves through an ECG machine at a rate of ____ mm per second.

25

The distance across ___ large square(s) on ECG paper represents 1.0 second.

five

The bipolar leads are attached to which parts of the body?

upper outer arms and inner lower calves

Which ECG lead records the voltage difference between the left arm and the left leg?

lead III

The ___ records the heart’s voltage difference between the left leg electrode and a central point between the right arm and left arm.

aVF

Cardiac patients should be instructed to:

take their prescribed medication regularly and report any problems immediately

If the ECG tracing is too large, the sensitivity dial should be turned down to ½ to produce a standardization mark:

5 mm high and 2 mm wide

If the ECG cycles are too close together, the speed can be changed to ___ mm per second.

50

When placing the ECG electrodes on a patient’s lower leg, the connectors should point:

up

Atrial fibrillation:

produces a heart rate that can range from 400 to 500 BPM

Premature ventricular contractions are not commonly seen in patients with:

leukemia

Ventricular fibrillation is seen in patients with:

cardiac disease

When using a Holter monitor, the ECG electrodes are attached to a patient’s:

chest wall

Placed on the patient’s limbs and chest for an ECG:

electrodes

Procedure frequently used in the diagnosis of heart disease and dysfunction

electrocardiogram

Anatomy in the heart referred to as the pacemaker of the heart

sinoatrial node (SA node)

Ventricular action that is represented by the T wave on the ECG paper

ventricular repolarization

Anatomy of the heart that cause the muscles of the ventricles to contract and produce the QRS complex of waves on the ECG paper

purknje fibers

Part of the ECG machine that transforms electrical impulses into mechanical motion

galvanometer

Heated pen-like instrument that produces a printed representation on the ECG paper

stylus

Device used to perform a “24-hour ECG” on patients who have normal routine ECGs but still have intermittent or irregular chest pain or discomfort

Holter monitor

Caused by an electrode becoming separated from the wire or by a broken lead wire

interrupted baseline

Device designed to provide a countershock to convert an irregular heart rhythm to a regular sinus rhythm

defibrillator

Heart rate of less than 60 BPM is called:

sinus bradycardia

An irregularity in the heart’s rhythm is called:

arrhythmia

Heart rate of above 100 BPM is called:

sinus tachycardia

Shivering from nervousness or cold or a neurological condition can cause this on an ECG:

somatic tremors

A charge transmitted through certain tissues, especially nerve fibers and muscles, resulting in physiologic activity

impulse

Time between events; space; on an ECG, the period that includes one segment and one or more waves i.e., P-R interval

interval

The portion of ECG between two waves

segment

Something extraneous to what is being looked for; activity that causes interference on ECG’s

artifact

Process of bringing into conformity with a standard; pertaining to ECG, a mark made at the beginning of each lead to establish a standard of reference

standardization

The study of the heart and its diseases

cardiology

The first part of the cardiac cycle

atrial depolarization

True or False: Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are used to measure the electrical activity of the heart.

True

True or False: A Holter monitor is a short-term device used to continuously monitor a patient's heart activity over 24-48 hours.

True

True or False: The primary purpose of an ECG is to identify the structure of the heart.

False

True or False: A medical assistant should instruct the patient to avoid moving or talking during an ECG to ensure accurate results.

True

True or False: Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening arrhythmia that may require immediate defibrillation

True

True or False: Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are typically considered harmless and do not require treatment in most cases.

True

True or False: A stress test is used to assess the electrical activity of the heart during physical exertion.

True

True or False: It is important to ensure that the standard and augmented electrodes used for an ECG are placed on the patient’s arms and legs to provide the best possible results.

True

True or False: The standard 12-lead ECG is the most commonly used method for assessing heart rhythms.

True

True or False: The placement of precordial ECG leads is the same for both a 12-lead and a Holter monitor.

True

True or False: A patient undergoing a Holter monitor test should avoid activities like exercise or showering during the monitoring period.

True

True or False: The P-wave on an ECG represents the contraction of the ventricles.

False

True or False: Artifact on an ECG can be caused by patient movement, poor electrode contact, or electrical interference.

True

True or False: The QRS complex on an ECG represents the depolarization of the atria.

False

True or False: The medical assistant should explain to the patient that a normal ECG result guarantees that there are no heart problems.

False

True or False: An electrocardiogram can detect arrhythmias, myocardial infarctions, and electrolyte imbalances

True

True or False: When applying ECG electrodes, it is important to clean the patient’s skin to reduce impedance.

True

True or False: Cardioversion is a procedure used to restore a normal heart rhythm in patients with certain types of arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation.

True

True or False: An ECG may be performed to detect signs of previous heart attacks or to monitor heart conditions in patients with cardiovascular disease.

True

True or False: A medical assistant is responsible for interpreting the results of an ECG.

False

A _______ is a continuous, portable ECG device that monitors the heart's activity over a 24-48 hour period.

Holter monitor

The _________ wave on an ECG represents atrial depolarization.

P

In an ECG, the _______ represents the depolarization of the ventricles.

QRS complex

The _____________________ of the ECG tracing reflects the time between the end of ventricular depolarization and the beginning of repolarization.

ST segment

_________ is a medical emergency in which the heart's electrical activity becomes disorganized, leading to ineffective heart contractions

ventricular fibrillation

The P-R interval on an ECG represents the time it takes for the electrical impulse to travel from the ________ to the ventricles.

atria

The _______  is the first deflection in an ECG tracing and indicates atrial depolarization.

P wave