Basic EKG Dysrhythmia Identification
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this program the learner should be able to:
• Identify basic normal EKG waveform morphology.
• Describe the normal physiology of cardiac conduction.
• Distinguish between basic dysrhythmias.
• Describe the physiological consequences and treatments of these
basic dysrhythmias.
,Basic EKG Dysrhythmia Identification
,Contents
EKG Course Introduction............................................................................................3
Course Objectives........................................................................................................3
Literature Review.........................................................................................................4
Physiology of Cardiac Conduction..............................................................................4
How to Read an EKG Strip..........................................................................................6
Normal Components of the EKG Waveform...............................................................8
Electrode Placement and Lead Selection...................................................................10
Sinus Bradycardia......................................................................................................12
Sinus Tachycardia......................................................................................................13
Sinus Arrhythmia.......................................................................................................14
Wandering Atrial Pacemaker.....................................................................................15
Premature Atrial Contractions....................................................................................16
Sinus Arrest................................................................................................................17
Sinoatrial Block..........................................................................................................18
Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia....................................................................................19
Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia....................................................................................20
Atrial Flutter...............................................................................................................21
Atrial Fibrillation.......................................................................................................22
Premature Junctional Contractions............................................................................23
Junctional Tachycardia...............................................................................................24
Junctional Escape Beats and Rhythm........................................................................25
First Degree AV Block...............................................................................................27
Second Degree AV Block (Mobitz type I, Wenkebach)............................................28
Second Degree AV Block (Mobitz type II)...............................................................29
Third Degree AV Block or Complete AV Block.......................................................30
Bundle Branch Block.................................................................................................32
Premature Ventricular Contractions...........................................................................33
Ventricular Tachycardia.............................................................................................35
Ventricular Fibrillation...............................................................................................38
Asystole/Ventricular Standstill...................................................................................40
Selected Nursing Diagnoses and Interventions for Patients with Dysrhythmias.......42
2
, EKG Course Introduction
Course Overview: This course begins with a discussion of the physiology of
cardiac conduction, and then covers the basics of how to read an EKG strip,
and the normal components of the EKG waveform. We will then examine
basic cardiac dysrhythmias, including atrial and ventricular dysrhythmias, and
blocks. Finally, selected nursing diagnoses for patients with dysrhythmias will
be offered, along with suggested associated nursing interventions. See
Objectives for specific course goals.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this program the learner should be able to:
• Identify basic normal EKG waveform morphology.
• Describe the normal physiology of cardiac conduction.
• Distinguish between basic dysrhythmias.
• Describe the physiological consequences and treatments of these
basic dysrhythmias.
Target Audience
• The target audience for this course is second level nursing
students at Dodge City Community College Department
of Nursing.
3
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this program the learner should be able to:
• Identify basic normal EKG waveform morphology.
• Describe the normal physiology of cardiac conduction.
• Distinguish between basic dysrhythmias.
• Describe the physiological consequences and treatments of these
basic dysrhythmias.
,Basic EKG Dysrhythmia Identification
,Contents
EKG Course Introduction............................................................................................3
Course Objectives........................................................................................................3
Literature Review.........................................................................................................4
Physiology of Cardiac Conduction..............................................................................4
How to Read an EKG Strip..........................................................................................6
Normal Components of the EKG Waveform...............................................................8
Electrode Placement and Lead Selection...................................................................10
Sinus Bradycardia......................................................................................................12
Sinus Tachycardia......................................................................................................13
Sinus Arrhythmia.......................................................................................................14
Wandering Atrial Pacemaker.....................................................................................15
Premature Atrial Contractions....................................................................................16
Sinus Arrest................................................................................................................17
Sinoatrial Block..........................................................................................................18
Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia....................................................................................19
Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia....................................................................................20
Atrial Flutter...............................................................................................................21
Atrial Fibrillation.......................................................................................................22
Premature Junctional Contractions............................................................................23
Junctional Tachycardia...............................................................................................24
Junctional Escape Beats and Rhythm........................................................................25
First Degree AV Block...............................................................................................27
Second Degree AV Block (Mobitz type I, Wenkebach)............................................28
Second Degree AV Block (Mobitz type II)...............................................................29
Third Degree AV Block or Complete AV Block.......................................................30
Bundle Branch Block.................................................................................................32
Premature Ventricular Contractions...........................................................................33
Ventricular Tachycardia.............................................................................................35
Ventricular Fibrillation...............................................................................................38
Asystole/Ventricular Standstill...................................................................................40
Selected Nursing Diagnoses and Interventions for Patients with Dysrhythmias.......42
2
, EKG Course Introduction
Course Overview: This course begins with a discussion of the physiology of
cardiac conduction, and then covers the basics of how to read an EKG strip,
and the normal components of the EKG waveform. We will then examine
basic cardiac dysrhythmias, including atrial and ventricular dysrhythmias, and
blocks. Finally, selected nursing diagnoses for patients with dysrhythmias will
be offered, along with suggested associated nursing interventions. See
Objectives for specific course goals.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this program the learner should be able to:
• Identify basic normal EKG waveform morphology.
• Describe the normal physiology of cardiac conduction.
• Distinguish between basic dysrhythmias.
• Describe the physiological consequences and treatments of these
basic dysrhythmias.
Target Audience
• The target audience for this course is second level nursing
students at Dodge City Community College Department
of Nursing.
3
