EKG & Pulse Oximetry Medical Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards covering core EKG lead placements, medical word parts, and pulse oximetry terminology.

Precordial

Pertaining to the area in front of the heart (pre- = before/in front of, cordi = heart, -al = pertaining to); used to describe chest EKG leads V1 through V6.

Depolarization

An EKG term referring to the cardiac electrical activation process.

Repolarization

An EKG term referring to the cardiac electrical recovery process.

Premature Ventricular Complex (PVC)

An EKG waveform finding indicating an early heartbeat originating in the ventricles.

Sinus Tachycardia

An EKG rhythm term representing an elevated heart rate originating from the sinus node.

Ventricular Fibrillation

A cardiac monitor rhythm indicating chaotic, disorganized ventricular electrical activity.

Cardi(o)

A medical word part meaning heart.

Cost(o)

A medical word part meaning rib.

Thorac(o)

A medical word part meaning chest or thorax.

Supra-

A medical prefix meaning above or superior to.

Pneum(o)

A medical word part meaning air, respiration, or lung.

Pulm(o)

A medical word part meaning lung.

Hypoxemia

A pulse oximetry and respiratory term for deficient oxygen concentration in arterial blood.

Desaturation

A decrease in oxygen saturation level, such as an $\text{SpO}_2$ drop from $96\%$ to $84\%$.

Perfusion

The passage of fluid and blood through the circulatory system to clinical tissues.

Hypoxia

A medical condition characterized by inadequate oxygenation at the tissue level.

V1 Lead Placement

Positioned at the 4th intercostal space at the right sternal border.

V2 Lead Placement

Positioned at the 4th intercostal space at the left sternal border.

V3 Lead Placement

Positioned directly between V2 and V4.

V4 Lead Placement

Positioned at the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line.

V5 Lead Placement

Positioned level with V4 at the anterior axillary line.

V6 Lead Placement

Positioned level with V4 at the midaxillary line.