UCLA EKG Study Exam Solved 100% Correct
Difference between electrodes and leads when measuring EKG - ANSWER-Electrodes
• Detect electrical currents from the
heart that radiate to the skin
• Are placed at different locations to
obtain a total picture of the heart's
electrical activity
Leads
• Provide a view of the heart's electrical
activity between two points, or poles
• Consist of one positive pole and one
negative pole
• Produce either positive or negative
deflections on the ECG
How can you count the HR of an EKG in a 6 second strip - ANSWER-• Identify a 6
second strip.
• Count the number of R waves in this 6 second strip.
• Multiply x 10.
• This is the rate/minute for the ventricles.
• Can be used for regular and irregular rhythms
How many small squares are there in between the heavy dark lines in an EKG? -
ANSWER-• Smallest divisions are one millimeter squares
• The EKG paper runs at constant speed of 25mm/sec.
• There are 5 small squares between the heavy dark
lines.
How would you measure HR on an EKG strip? - ANSWER-Ventricular Rate
Atrial Rate
List in phases the electrophysiology of the heart - ANSWER-Phase 0: Na+ flow in and
rapid depolarization occurs
when stimulated
Phase 1: Rapid return to isoelectric level
Phase 2: Ca++ ions flow in and myocytes contract
Phase 3: K+ flow out and rapid depolarization occurs
Phase 4: Polarized resting phase
Name the three different type of heart cells - ANSWER-Allow the heart to integrate
electrical and mechanical
activity of the heart
1. Pacemaker cells
2. Electrical conduction cells
, 3. Myocardial cells
Purpose of EKG - ANSWER-Monitors electrical currents created by impulses in the
heart through electrodes attached to the skin
• Shows the sequence of electrical events
• Doesn't show the heart's mechanical activity or
pumping ability
What are causes of asystole? - ANSWER-6Hs
• Hypovolemia
• Hypoxia
• Hydrogen ion (acidosis),
• Hyperkalemia
• Hypokalemia
• Hypothermia.
4Ts
• Toxins
• Tamponade(cardiac)
• Tension pneumothorax
• Thrombosis (coronary and
pulmonary)
What are clinically significant ST segment changes - ANSWER-ST-segment "at 1 mm
above and below the baseline ST-segment in
patients at high risk for ischemia" and "ST elevation or depression
that lasts for at least 1 minute" is considered clinically significant.
What are components of the QRS complex? - ANSWER-Represents ventricular
depolarization
• Duration: 0.04-0.12 seconds (clinically 0.06-0.10) Characteristics:
• Q wave: Negative deflection before the R wave
• R wave: First positive deflection in the complex
• S wave: Negative deflection after the R wave
What are nursing responsibilities to be done withing first hour of admission? -
ANSWER-Document initial strip and measurements within first hour
patient is monitored
• RN must perform own measurements:
• PR interval, QRS, QT interval, ST, & interpretation of rhythm
• Communicate with Telemetry Technician the
measurements & interpretation
What are the causes for sinus tachycardia? - ANSWER-exercise
• pain
• stress
• fever
Difference between electrodes and leads when measuring EKG - ANSWER-Electrodes
• Detect electrical currents from the
heart that radiate to the skin
• Are placed at different locations to
obtain a total picture of the heart's
electrical activity
Leads
• Provide a view of the heart's electrical
activity between two points, or poles
• Consist of one positive pole and one
negative pole
• Produce either positive or negative
deflections on the ECG
How can you count the HR of an EKG in a 6 second strip - ANSWER-• Identify a 6
second strip.
• Count the number of R waves in this 6 second strip.
• Multiply x 10.
• This is the rate/minute for the ventricles.
• Can be used for regular and irregular rhythms
How many small squares are there in between the heavy dark lines in an EKG? -
ANSWER-• Smallest divisions are one millimeter squares
• The EKG paper runs at constant speed of 25mm/sec.
• There are 5 small squares between the heavy dark
lines.
How would you measure HR on an EKG strip? - ANSWER-Ventricular Rate
Atrial Rate
List in phases the electrophysiology of the heart - ANSWER-Phase 0: Na+ flow in and
rapid depolarization occurs
when stimulated
Phase 1: Rapid return to isoelectric level
Phase 2: Ca++ ions flow in and myocytes contract
Phase 3: K+ flow out and rapid depolarization occurs
Phase 4: Polarized resting phase
Name the three different type of heart cells - ANSWER-Allow the heart to integrate
electrical and mechanical
activity of the heart
1. Pacemaker cells
2. Electrical conduction cells
, 3. Myocardial cells
Purpose of EKG - ANSWER-Monitors electrical currents created by impulses in the
heart through electrodes attached to the skin
• Shows the sequence of electrical events
• Doesn't show the heart's mechanical activity or
pumping ability
What are causes of asystole? - ANSWER-6Hs
• Hypovolemia
• Hypoxia
• Hydrogen ion (acidosis),
• Hyperkalemia
• Hypokalemia
• Hypothermia.
4Ts
• Toxins
• Tamponade(cardiac)
• Tension pneumothorax
• Thrombosis (coronary and
pulmonary)
What are clinically significant ST segment changes - ANSWER-ST-segment "at 1 mm
above and below the baseline ST-segment in
patients at high risk for ischemia" and "ST elevation or depression
that lasts for at least 1 minute" is considered clinically significant.
What are components of the QRS complex? - ANSWER-Represents ventricular
depolarization
• Duration: 0.04-0.12 seconds (clinically 0.06-0.10) Characteristics:
• Q wave: Negative deflection before the R wave
• R wave: First positive deflection in the complex
• S wave: Negative deflection after the R wave
What are nursing responsibilities to be done withing first hour of admission? -
ANSWER-Document initial strip and measurements within first hour
patient is monitored
• RN must perform own measurements:
• PR interval, QRS, QT interval, ST, & interpretation of rhythm
• Communicate with Telemetry Technician the
measurements & interpretation
What are the causes for sinus tachycardia? - ANSWER-exercise
• pain
• stress
• fever
