The Structure of Primary Care
The Structure of Primary Care Joanne K. Singleton PhD, RN, CS, FNP Carol Green-Hernandez PhD, RN, CS, FNP/ANP Stephen Paul Holzemer PhD, RN Health care delivery in the United States…
Practice strips
Practice strips 1. Rhythm: _________________________________ Rate: _________________________________ P wave: _________________________________ PR interval: _________________________________ QRS complex: _________________________________ T wave: _________________________________ QT interval: _________________________________ Other: _________________________________ Interpretation: _________________________________ View Answer 1. Rhythm:…
Disorders affecting 12-lead ECGs
Disorders affecting 12-lead ECGs A 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is a key tool in diagnosing and evaluating certain disorders, such as angina, Prinzmetal’s angina, myocardial infarction (MI), pericarditis, left ventricular hypertrophy…
Electrocardiogram analysis
Electrocardiogram analysis After obtaining an electrocardiogram (ECG), you’ll want to read and interpret the findings. Becoming comfortable with ECG analysis will allow you to detect subtle, and sometimes dangerous, changes…
Basic 12-lead electrocardiography
Basic 12-lead electrocardiography The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is a diagnostic test that helps identify pathologic conditions, especially ischemia and acute myocardial infarction (MI). It provides a more complete view of…
Nonpharmacologic treatment
Nonpharmacologic treatment Nonpharmacologic treatments for arrhythmias—including pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), and radiofrequency ablation—produce distinctive electrocardiogram (ECG) tracings. By understanding how these devices work, and the ECG changes they produce, you’ll…
Electrolyte imbalances and drugs
Electrolyte imbalances and drugs Patients with electrolyte imbalances—such as hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, and hypocalcemia—frequently show distinctive rhythm changes on electrocardiograms (ECGs). Likewise, patients taking such drugs as digoxin (Lanoxin) may…
Atrioventricular blocks
Atrioventricular blocks Atrioventricular (AV) heart block refers to an interruption or delay in the conduction of electrical impulses between the atria and the ventricles. The block can occur at the…
Ventricular arrhythmias
Ventricular arrhythmias Ventricular arrhythmias originate in the ventricles below the bifurcation of the bundle of His. These arrhythmias occur when electrical impulses depolarize the myocardium using a different pathway from…
Atrial arrhythmias
Atrial arrhythmias Atrial arrhythmias, the most common cardiac rhythm disturbances, result from impulses originating in the atrial tissue in areas outside the sinoatrial (SA) node. These arrhythmias can affect ventricular…
