Professionals 6th Edition by Kathryn Booth
Explain th following terms??…
action potential - ANSWER: The change in the electrical potential of the heart muscle
when it is stimulated.
acute coronary syndrome (ACS) - ANSWER: A broad term referring to unstable
angina, ST segment elevation MI (STEMI), and non-ST segment elevation MI
(NSTEMI), usually associated with intracoronary plaque changes or thrombosis.
advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) - ANSWER: A set of clinical interventions for the
urgent treatment of cardiac arrest and other life-threatening medical emergencies.
alternating current (AC) interference - ANSWER: Unwanted markings on the ECG
caused by other electrical current sources.
ambulatory monitoring - ANSWER: The process of recording an ECG tracing for an
extended period while a patient goes about their daily activities.
anatomically contiguous lead - ANSWER: Two or more leads looking at the same part
of the heart or numerically consecutive chest leads.
angina - ANSWER: An oppressive pain or pressure in the chest due to insufficient
oxygen to the heart muscle.
angioplasty - ANSWER: A minimally invasive procedure to open narrowed or blocked
blood vessels.
angle of Louis - ANSWER: A ridge about an inch below the suprasternal notch where
the main part of the sternum and the manubrium are attached.
anomaly - ANSWER: Something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or
expected.
anorexia - ANSWER: Decreased or loss of appetite.
anterior axillary line - ANSWER: An imaginary vertical line starting at the front axilla
that extends down the left side of the chest.
antidysrhythmic - ANSWER: Type of medication given to prevent cardiac rhythm
abnormalities.
, aorta - ANSWER: The largest artery of the body; transports blood from the left
ventricle to the entire body.
aortic semilunar valve - ANSWER: Valve in the aorta that prevents the backflow of
blood into the left ventricle.
apnea - ANSWER: The absence of breathing.
artifact - ANSWER: Unwanted marks on the ECG tracing caused by activity other than
the heart's electrical activity.
ascites - ANSWER: Abnormal collection of serous fluid within the abdomen, may
occur secondary to congestive heart failure.
asystole - ANSWER: A condition with no rhythm or electrical current traveling
through the cardiac conduction system.
atherosclerotic plaque - ANSWER: Fatty deposits accumulated due to elevated
glucose levels.
atrial kick - ANSWER: Blood ejected into the ventricles by the atria before ventricular
contraction, contributing to a 10%-30% increase in cardiac output.
atrial pacing - ANSWER: Electrical stimulation delivered to the atria to cause
conduction through the ventricles resulting in ventricular contraction.
atriobiventricular pacing - ANSWER: Sequential pacemaker stimulation of the atria
and then both ventricles, also known as biventricular pacing.
atrioventricular (AV) node - ANSWER: Delays the electrical impulse to allow the atria
to complete their contraction.
atrioventricular sequential pacing - ANSWER: A pacemaker stimulation of the atria
and then the lower part of the right ventricle in a sequence that mimics the normal
cardiac conduction system.
atrium (pl. atria) - ANSWER: Top two chambers of the heart.
augmented leads - ANSWER: Small ECG lead tracings increased in size by the ECG
machine for interpretation.
auscultated blood pressure - ANSWER: Blood pressure determined while listening
with a stethoscope.
automatic external defibrillator (AED) - ANSWER: A portable device that recognizes
abnormal rhythm and determines if it is a 'shockable rhythm.'