EKG Plain and Simple : From Rhythm Strips to 12-Leads

by Ellis, Karen

• ISBN13: 9780130197450
• ISBN10: 0130197459
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback w/CD
• Copyright: 2007-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

For courses covering EKG. Using a conversational tone, this all-inclusive guide to electrocardiography discusses basic to advanced topics such as rhythm strip analysis, 12-lead EKG interpretation, recognition of a heart attack in progress, and the constantly evolving treatment of arrhythmia. Its comprehen- sive treatment and hundreds of sample strips emphasize not only the need for practice to perfect skills, but explanations to understand answersand what makes each one of them correct.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Introduction	xi
Basic Rhythm Interpretation
How to Analyze a Rhythm Strip	1	(2)
How to Determine the Regularity of a Rhythm	3	(1)
Rhythm Regularity Summary	4	(1)
How to Calculate Heart Rate	5	(1)
Heart Rate Chart	6	(1)
How to Determine Intervals	7	(1)
The Skinny on Sinus Rhythms	8	(2)
Sinus Rhythms Pictorial	10	(3)
The Skinny on Atrial Rhythms	13	(2)
Atrial Rhythms Pictorial	15	(3)
The Skinny on Junctional Rhythms	18	(1)
Junctional Rhythms Pictorial	19	(2)
The Skinny on Ventricular Rhythms	21	(1)
Ventricular Rhythms Pictorial	22	(4)
The Skinny on AV Blocks	26	(1)
AV Blocks Pictorial	27	(2)
Main Algorithm for EKG Rhythm Interpretation	29	(1)
Sinus Algorithm	30	(1)
Sinus Interruptions Algorithm	31	(1)
Atrial Algorithm	32	(1)
Junctional Algorithm	33	(1)
Ventricular Algorithm	34	(1)
AV Block Algorithm	35	(1)
Pacemaker Malfunctions	36	(2)
12-Lead EKG Interpretation
Lead Placement for a Standard 12-Lead EKG	38	(2)
12-Lead EKG Interpretation in a Nutshell	40	(2)
12-Lead EKG Interpretation Checklist	42	(2)
How to Calculate the Electrical Axis	44	(1)
How to Determine the Axis Quadrant	45	(2)
How to Determine the Most Isoelectric QRS Complex	47	(2)
The Perpendicular Rainbow	49	(1)
Axis Determination Algorithm	50	(1)
Bundle Branch Block/Hemiblock Algorithm	51	(1)
Criteria for Bundle Branch Blocks and Hemiblocks	52	(1)
Hypertrophy Algorithm	53	(1)
Evolution of an MI	54	(1)
How to Determine the Age of an MI	55	(1)
Infarction Squares	56	(1)
MI Criteria	57	(1)
MI Algorithm	58	(1)
Anterior MI Pictorial	59	(1)
Inferior MI Pictorial	60	(1)
Lateral MI Pictorial	61	(1)
Posterior MI Pictorial	62	(2)
Extensive Anterior MI Pictorial	64	(1)
Anteroseptal MI Pictorial	65	(1)
Subendocardial MI Pictorial	66	(1)
Lead Placement for a Right-Sided EKG	67	(1)
Right Ventricular Infarction	68	(1)
Pericarditis	69	(1)
Early Repolarization	70	(1)
Miscellaneous EKG Effects	71

Excerpts

Don't you just groan at the thought of buying yet another cold, formal textbook, the kind that imparts important information, but in such a tedious way that you're lucky if you can stay awake long enough to learn anything? Well, this isn't one of those books. This text is very informal. It's written in a conversational style so that you feel you're sitting with a favorite instructor who's teaching you one-on-one. Before you know it, you've learned concepts and skills and haven't snored even once. You may have even chuckled a time or two, as there is occasional humor in this text. Humor? In a textbook? Sure. Think about your favorite instructors. Chances are they're your favorite because they knew how and when to use humor to illustrate a point. And I'll bet you still remember what they taught you. If something makes you laugh, you'll remember it. That being said, however, do not get the impression that this is not a serious textbook on electrocardiography. It is. This text assumes no prior knowledge about electrocardiography or about the heart in general. It takes the student from square one and builds knowledge from the bottom up, pyramid style. At the base of the pyramid is cardiac anatomy and physiology--not enough to be intimidating, but just enough so that the concepts about electrocardiography have a solid foundation. Cardiac anatomy and physiology are covered in Part I of the text. Also in Part I is information about the cardiac conduction system, leads, EKG waves and complexes, and lots of practice exercises to hone your newly learned skills. At the end of Part I is arrhythmia interpretation. Basic rhythms, their causes, clinical implications, and treatment are covered. Rhythm summary sheets and algorithms (flowcharts) help you learn rhythm interpretation, and quizzes at the end of chapters help you evaluate your comprehension of the material. There is an entire chapter of rhythm strips to interpret. A word about the rhythm strips. Some strips have a dotted-line grid pattern in the background and others have a more solid-line grid. This is because different EKG machines print out differently. It's important to be able to interpret rhythm strips with all types of backgrounds. Also, unlike some EKG textbooks that use computer-generated rhythm strips and thus have picture-perfect strips, this text, with few exceptions, uses strips from real patients. Therefore, a few strips have nurses' writing on them or interpretive data from the EKG monitor. Also, a few strips may be a bit faded. Do not let this distract you.Each one of these strips has something to teach you. Also in Part I is a brief chapter on coronary artery disease. Since electrocardiography deals with a population of individuals with cardiac problems, it makes sense not just to be adept at interpreting their rhythm strips and EKGs, but also to be knowledgeable about their disease process and symptoms. It's important to see the person beneath the EKG. Part II is higher up the pyramid. It covers 12-lead EKG analysis, cardiac medications, intraventricular conduction defects (IVCDs), pacemakers, and diagnostic electrocardiography. There are algorithms to help in IVCD and MI recognition. You'll learn to recognize whether a patient is having a heart attack, which part of the heart is damaged, which blood vessel is involved, and which medications are used to treat it. There is an entire chapter of 12lead EKGs to evaluate. At the end of Part II is a chapter of scenarios providing rhythm strips and/or 12-lead EKGs along with a clinical situation and asking pertinent questions to challenge you to assess the situation and decide on an intervention. This chapter helps to pull everything together. It's the apex of the pyramid. This text is a complete guide to electrocardiography, from the basics to the more advanced concepts. It's appropriate for allied health students, nurses or nursing students, medical students or resid