ECG flashcards

artifact

erroneous marks or defects on the tracking.

calibration syringe

measuring instrument used to mark (a gauge or instrument) with a standard scale of

cardiac cycle

sequence of contraction and relaxation

deflection

refers to the peaks and valleys seen on the electrocardiogram (ECG) tracing, which represent the electrical activity of the heart

depolarization

the electrical impulse that initiates a chain reaction resulting in contraction.

dysrhythmia

irregularities in heart rhythm

echocardiography

uses ultrasound to view the heart in motion.

electrode

electrical impulse sensors

forced vital capacity (FVC)

is what the spirometer measures, it’s defined as the greatest volume of air that can be expelled when a person performs rapid, forced expiration.

holter monitor

is an electrocardiography device that is worn around a patient’s waist/shoulder strap to record the heart’s electrical activity during their everyday activities.

hypoxemia

low blood oxygen

lead

2 DEFINITIONS

• views of the electrical activity of the heart, that are recorded on the ECG.

• physical location where electrode is placed on a patient

peak expiratory flow rate

is a measurement taken to determine the amount of air that can be quickly forced from the lungs

polarity

the condition of having two separate poles, one of which is positive and the other negative

pulmonary function test

measure and evaluate a patients lung capacity and volume

repolarization

a period of electrical recovery, when polarity is restored

rhythm strip

a single strip/tracing produced by ECG which shows electrical activity of one lead.

sleep apnea

a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts

spirometer

an instrument that measures the air taken in by and expelled from the lungs

spirometry

is a test used to measure breathing capacity

stress test

assesses the heart’s conduction system during exercise, when the demand for oxygen increases.

peak flow meter

a small, handheld device that can be used in the medical office or the patient’s home is often used to obtain a PEFR

wave changes

direction of waves may vary, depending on which lead is being viewed. normally each one should have the same appearance. changes in height, width, direction of wave may indicate a problem.

what happens during the early stages of myocardial infarction?

the T wave forms a large peak and after the T wave inverts and appears below the baseline

ventricular fibrillation

AKA v-fib

is a life-threatening heart condition in which the ventricles of the heart appear to “quiver” and there is no cardiac output.

premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)

are premature heartbeats that originate from the heart’s ventricles. A PVC is identified as a beat that occurs early in the cycle, followed by a pause before the next cycle

atrial fibrillation

is a common atrial dysrhythmia that causes the different areas in the heart to beat irregularly and often speedy, rather than in the SA node.

somatic interference

muscle movement—tensing of voluntary muscles, shifting of body position, tremors, or even talking

which of the following initiates the heartbeat?

SA node

the ECG tracing is showing somatic interference. what can be done?

remind the patient to sit still

what does a pulse oximeter measure?

oxygen saturation of the blood

when obtaining a peak flow rate you should ___ the ___ readings.

document, 3

which of the following irregularities on an ECG would be considered the most severe?

V-fib

the precordial ECG leads are also called?

chest leads

which of the following should a patient do when wearing a holster monitor?

inform the office when it's not working properly

turning off unnecessary electrical equipment in the room when performing an ECG is helpful in reducing which type of artifact?

AC interference