Here is a list of a few of our best resources on interpreting EKGs for nurses:

• Free EKG Cheatsheet: Click to Get our Book “EKG Interpretation”
• EKG Course: View NURSING.com EKG Course

5 Steps to EKG Interpretation 

 

 

Following the steps below will allow ease with the interpretation of arrhythmias.  Analyzing strips in this order and reviewing these 5 aspects will allow for the correct identification of cardiac rhythms.

 

1. Rate
2. P Waves
3. P:QRS
4. QRS
5. PR Interval

Step 1: Rate

• What is the ventricular rate?
  • On a six second strip count the R waves and multiply by 10
  • Alternatively, you can divide 300 by the number of large squares between R waves or P waves. This method is less reliably if the rate is irregular.

Step 2: P Waves

• Are there P Waves?
• What is the rate of the P wave?
• What is the morphology of the P wave (upward, smooth, rounded)?

Step 3: P:QRS

• Is there a 1:1 relationship between P wave and QRS complex?

Step 4: QRS

• Are there QRS complexes?
• Is the QRS width 0.06 – 0.12 seconds (1.5 – 3 small boxes)?

Step 5: PR Interval

• Is the PRI between 0.12 – 0.20 seconds (3 – 5 small boxes)?

 

Normal Sinus Rhythm

 

 

Okay, so the next thing we have to do is look at NSR (normal sinus rhythm) because we have to base every other interpretation on what SHOULD be happening.

 

While referring to the image above let's work through the 5 steps.

 

 

• 60 – 100 bpm

P Waves

• Are there P Waves?
  • Yes
• What is the rate of the P wave?
  • 60 – 100
• What is the morphology of the P wave (is it positive, smooth, or round)?
  • Yes

P: QRS

 

• Is there a 1:1 relationship between P wave and QRS complex?
  • Yes

QRS

• Are there QRS complexes?
  • Yes
• Is the QRS width 0.06 – 0.12 seconds (1.5 – 3 small boxes)?
  • Yes

PR Interval

• Is the PRI between 0.12 – 0.20 seconds (3 – 5 small boxes)?
  • Yes

Explanation:

Normal sinus rhythm is the result of the electrical conduction following the intended course without deviation or alteration in rate.  Slight variations in rhythm regularity may be noted with the respiratory cycle.

Now What?

Okay. . . at this point you should have a basic grasp of how to identify and interpret normal sinus rhythm.  This is the BEST place to start.  But this is just the beginning.  In order to become an EKG master, you need to become comfortable with a wide range of rhythms. Let's dive into how to interpret different rhythms.

 

 

Bradycardia, sometimes called Brady, is defined as a heart rate under 60 beats per minute (BPM).

 

• There are two types of bradycardia:
  1. Sinus bradycardia
  2. Atrioventricular (AV) block
     • First degree
     • Second degree
       • Type 1 (Wenckebach)
       • Type 2 (Mobitz)
     • Third-degree (complete)

Sinus Bradycardia EKG Interpretation

When looking at an EKG that is sinus brady, all PQRST waves are within normal measurements meaning that the PR, QRS, and QT intervals all meet the criteria for sinus rhythm. However, when you count out the heart rate it is less than 60 bpm.

What causes Sinus Bradycardia?

Sinus bradycardia can be seen in healthy adults if they are athletic and/or are asleep! Other common causes of sinus brady include:

• Heart tissue damage
• Hypertension
• Myocarditis
• Hypothyroidism
• Lupus
• Common with inferior wall MI
• Increased ICP
• Increased vagal tone from vomiting
• Bearing down to have a bowel movement
• Hemochromatosis
• Medications:
  • Heart rhythm/Hypertensive medications  Beta-blockers
    • • Metoprolol (Lopressor)
      • Propranolol (Inderal)
    • Calcium channel blockers
      • Amlodipine (Norvasc)
      • Diltiazem (Cardizem)
    • Digoxin
    • Opiates
      • Opium
      • Codeine
      • Morphine
      • Dilaudid
      • Methadone (Dolophine)
      • Heroin
    • Psychosis medications
      • Clozapine (Clozaril)
      • Amitriptyline (Elavil)
      • Haloperidol (Haldol)
      • Thioridazine

Nursing Mnemonic For Causes of Bradycardia

PACED

• • Propranolol or Poppies (Opiates)
  • Anticholinesterase drugs
  • Clonidine or Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Ethanol
  • Digoxin

What could happen to someone in sinus bradycardia?

Patients with sinus bradycardia will likely be asymptomatic, however, it makes sense for patients to exhibit signs and symptoms of cardiac compromise such as:

• Altered LOC
• Hypotension
• Respiratory distress/failure
• Delayed capillary refill
• Syncope
• Shortness of breath (SOB)

How do you treat bradycardia?

• Medications:
  • First line:
    • Atropine
  • Second line:
    • Dopamine
    • Epinephrine

Transcutaneous pacing should be used if the patient is exhibiting signs and symptoms of poor profusion.

 

There are three degrees of AV block, in the second degree, there are two types. I personally have found these to be very confusing and still to this day, I do not recognize these heart blocks at first glance, I have to slow down and take my time reading the EKG strip to get the right type of block.

 

• First degree:
  • This is the mildest form of the heart blocks and is rarely symptomatic. There are very few times this rhythm will receive treatment. The electrical signals from the atria to the ventricles are delayed, causing long PR intervals.
• Second degree:
  • In second degree AV block, not all electrical signals reach the ventricles causing some beats to drop as well as causing an irregular rhythm., There are two types of second degree block:
    • Type 1 which is also called Wenckebach
      • In second degree type 1 AV block, the atria are pumping at a regular rate but ventricles are pumping slower causing prolonged regular PR intervals.
    • Type 2 which is also called Mobitz
      • In second degree type 2 AV block, the conduction delay is below the AV node. Thus, the SA node is firing regularly causing regular P to P waves but either bundle of his or bundle branches are not receiving the action potential every time causing skipped QRS complexes.
• Third degree which is also called complete
  • In third degree AV block, the atria and ventricles are not communicating at all… Communication is “blocked” you might say! The atria are using their pacemaker, the Sinoatrial (SA) node, which beats at 60-80 bpm, but since the conduction pathways for the electrical signal to pass on to the ventricles are blocked, the ventricles use their own intrinsic pacemaker. This can either be the junction (40-60 bpm) or bundles (20-40 bpm). This chaotic messaging system can cause P waves to happen in the middle of a QRS complex. Because the P waves represent the atria pumping and the QRS complex represent the ventricles pumping and the atria are receiving almost double the amount of signals, there will be more P waves than QRS waves.

Recognizing AV block bradycardia on an EKG

• First degree
  • PR interval consistently greater than 20
  • Less than 60 bpm
  • Regular rate

• Second degree
  • Type 1 (Wenckebach)
    • P to P intervals are regular
    • PR intervals become progressively longer
    • Eventually a QRS complex is skipped

• Type 2 (Mobitz)
  • P to P intervals are regular
  • Extra P waves (no QRS complex to follow)
  • PR intervals are regular when there is a QRS complex following that P wave
  • Has the potential to progress to complete heart block

• Third degree (complete)
  • P waves continue to be 60-80 bpm
  • QRS complexes are at the rate of either 40-60 bpm or 20-40 bpm

What causes AV block?

First degree AV block, second degree type 1 AV block, and third degree AV block can be caused by the following issues:

• Acute inferior MI
• Right Ventricular infarction
• Increased vagal tone
• Ischemic heart disease
• Digitalis toxicity
• Beta blockers
• Amiodarone
• Calcium channel blockers
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Rheumatic heart disease
• myocarditis

Second degree type 2 (Mobitz), however, is caused by damage to the bundle branch system following an acute anterior Myocardial infarction. It is important to note that second degree type 2 AV block is NOT caused by medications or increased vagal tone.

What can happen to a patient in AV block?

AV blocks are usually asymptomatic. However, a patient may experience the following:

• Fainting/syncope
• Heart failure
• Cardiac arrest and death
• Hypotension

How do you treat AV block?

The main goal of treating AV block usually depends on if the patient is symptomatic or not. If they are not symptomatic and their heart rate is sustaining appropriate profusion, then the goal is to monitor PR intervals and make sure that the heart block conduction system does not worsen. In each specific degree of heart block, you will want to follow the following:

• In first degree AV block, you want to holding medications that cause slow AV conduction and monitor for lengthening PR intervals
• In second degree AV block type 1, also called Wenckebach, if the patient is too bradycardic, you will give them atropine and possibly use pacing, but only temporarily. The best outcome is if the cause of the heart block is discovered and that underlying cause can be treated. It is important to monitor for progression into higher forms of block
• In second degree type 2 AV block, also called Mobitz, if the patient is symptomatic, you will use a transcutaneous pacer and dopamine for hypotension. If the patient is asymptomatic but not maintaining proper profusion, you will have the transcutaneous pacer nearby and ready to use. You will also want to hold all drugs that slow the AV node conduction.
• In third degree AV heart block, also called complete heart block,a symptomatic patient who is bradycardic will need to receive atropine as well as being paced by a transcutaneous pacer.

 

 

Sinus Tachycardia, also called tachy, is when the heart is beating more than 100 beats per minute (bpm) due to rapid firing of of the sinoatrial (SA) node. All wave forms are present on the EKG making this a fast but steady arrhythmia.

 

Sinus Tachycardia EKG Interpretation

On the EKG, all PQRST wave forms present and the rhythm is regular, just very fast.

What causes Sinus Tachycardia?

• Heart tissue damage
  • Heart attack
  • Heart failure
• Abnormal vital signs:
  • Fever
  • Hypertension
  • Pain
• Stress/anxiety/fear
• Alcohol, caffeine, nicotine
• Cocaine
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Hyperthyroidism
• Anemia
• Hemorrhage

What could happen to someone in Sinus Tachycardia?

Sinus Tachycardia causes decreased cardiac output due to inadequate ventricular filling as well as an increased oxygen demand for the myocardial cells. A patient with sinus tachycardia may have the following signs and symptoms:

• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Syncope
• Chest Pain
• Fast heart rate
• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath

How do you treat Sinus Tachycardia?

The best treatment for sinus tachycardia is to treat the underlying cause. If a patient has a fever, administer antipyretics such as Motrin or Tylenol, or if they have anxiety give them an anti-anxiety medication such as Xanax, Valium or Ativan. If the patient has a narrow QRS complex, then treat them with the following:

• Vagal maneuvers
• Adenosine
• Beta-blockers
• Calcium channel blocker
• Synchronized cardioversion

If the patient has a wide QRS complex, then treat them with an antiarrhythmic such as Procainamide, Amiodarone, or Sotalol.

Closer Look at Atrial Rhythms

Let’s look even closer at Atrial Rhythms. When the sinoatrial (SA) node is not generating proper electrical activity, the hearts atrial tissues or even other tissues of the heart will attempt to generate electrical action potential. This can cause issues with the heart not beating properly, completely, or rhythmically.  Watch this video below:

Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) series of rapid heartbeats that originate from the atria. It is an umbrella term to cover multiple types of tachycardia, however, people often will refer to paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) as SVT. The heartbeats can be inconsistent or consistent and are always fast. Two major types of SVT are Atrial Fibrillation ( Afib), Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT) and Atrial Flutter (AFlutter).

 

 

What is PSVT?

Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT) is a rapid heartbeat that originates in the atria. It is called paroxysmal because it happened intermittently and lasts various lengths of time. PSVT is often just called SVT.

Recognizing PSVT on an EKG

The EKG will show a fast heart rate anywhere from 100 to up to 300 bpm! The QRS is narrow at a regular rhythm. Sometimes the P waves are inverted, this is referred to as retrograde P waves.

What causes PSVT?

A patient can be genetically inclined to have PSVT; Their electrical conduction doesn’t fire normally. It can also be drug-induced; Digoxin and Theophylline can cause PSVT. However, certain behaviors such as alcoholism, caffeine, drug use, or smoking can put you at risk as well.

• Signs and symptoms:
  • Anxiety
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tachycardia
  • Palpitations
  • Dizziness
  • Syncope

What could happen to someone in PSVT?

Patients who have sustained PSVT can have adverse effects such as hypotension due to the inevitable incomplete heartbeats from the fast beating of the heart. As well as over time, the heart will enlarge (Cardiomegaly) and eventually fail (heart failure).

How do you treat PSVT?

Because PSVT can be treated by the patient by themselves, the first line of treatment involves performing the Valsalva maneuver where the patient holds their breath and bear down as if they were having a bowel movement, or cold water on the face (splashing or submerging). Coughing while positioned sitting forward can also bring someone out of PSVT. In the hospital, a patient may get a carotid massage by a physician, medications such as adenosine (Adenocard) and cardioversion.

Atrial Fibrillation, commonly called Afib, is the most common heart arrhythmia. The atria beat very fast, irregularly and out of sync with the ventricles. The atria are often getting such confusing signals that they will quiver.

 

Patients can have 3 types of Afib:

 

• Paroxysmal Afib (early)
  • Usually when first diagnosed
  • Periods of Afib that come and go
  • Afib usually goes away on its own
• Persistent Afib
  • Medications are needed to correct Afib (we will talk about medications later)
  • Longer and more frequent episodes of Afib
• Permanent Afib (late)
  • Have had Afib for a long time and the heart is unable to return to Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR).

AFib EKG Interpretation

The waves are more chaotic and random, the beat is irregular and you can see the atria quivering between the QRS (ventricles pumping). No discernible P waves. The ventricular rate is often 110-160 bpm and the QRS complexes is usually less than 120 ms.  

What causes Afib?

The actual cause of Afib is unknown but research suggests many risk factors that are commonly seen with patients with Afib.

• Risk factors
  • Age
  • Family history
  • Smoking
  • Hypertension
  • Obesity
• Conditions increasing risk
  • Heart failure
  • Diabetes
  • Coronary heart disease

What could happen to someone in Afib?

Due to the pooling of blood from incomplete contractions and the quivering of the atria, a patient is likely to form a clot. If the blood clot breaks free it can cause a stroke or pulmonary embolism (PE) and increase the risk of heart failure and death. A patient with Afib may not have any signs or symptoms at all (about 60% do not), however, a patient may feel lightheaded, dizzy, short of breath, as well as experience chest pains, palpitations, and/or weakness. Afib also causes the heart to undergo a process called remodeling where the walls thicken and the heart size increases.

How do you treat Afib?

The two main goals of treating Afib is controlling the rate and rhythm and prevention of stroke/pulmonary embolism (PE). Medications can be used to control a patient's rate and rhythm. The most commonly used medication for the rate is adenosine. The two most commonly used medications for rhythm control are diltiazem (Cardizem) and amiodarone (Cordarone). Cardizem is better at controlling the rhythm but can cause hypotension in the patient, whereas amiodarone is better for hemodynamically compromised patients. Anticoagulants are used for stroke and pulmonary emboli prevention. Heparin is the first line, however, Lovenox and warfarin (Coumadin) are also used. If medication has not been successful in controlling the rate or rhythm, the patient may have a medical procedure to correct this arrhythmia.

• Cardioversion
  • Electrical current is used to restore electrical heart rhythm
• Surgical ablation
  • Destroys the cells that are causing abnormal heart rhythm
• Catheter ablation (radiofrequency ablation)
  • Stops the heart from setting off the faulty electrical signals
• Atrial Pacemaker
  • Placed under the skin to generate electrical signals to regulate heartbeat

 

 

Atrial Flutter, commonly called Aflutter or AFL, is very similar to Afib except that the heart still is beating at a regular rhythm. The Sinoatrial Node (SA node) sends electrical impulses through the atria at a very fast rate, sometimes the electrical impulse is so fast it circulates around the atria. The Atrioventricular Node (AV Node) receives this electrical impulse and with the combination of slowing down the rate as well as the intrinsic beat for the AV Node (40-60 bpm), the ventricles still beat at a regular rate and rhythm.

 

Recognizing AFlutter on an EKG

This was always the easiest rhythm for me to pick out because it is so unique. The jagged edges are similar to that of a saw blade, and people refer to it as a saw tooth pattern. The rate is regular but fast.

What causes AFlutter?

• Heart conditions:
  • Rheumatic or ischemic heart disease
  • Heart failure
  • Previous heart attack
  • Pericarditis
  • Septal defects
  • Hypertension
  • Pre-excitation syndromes
  • Atrioventricular (AV) valve disease
• Non-cardiac conditions:
  • Thyroid dysfunction (hyperthyroidism, thyrotoxicosis)
    • Too many thyroid hormones cause electrical changes within atrial myocytes, shortening the action potential
  • Diabetes
    • Fluctuations of serum glucose can cause the increased size of the atria, leading to electrical conduction problems.
  • Alcoholism
    • Shortens the right atrial effective refractory period (AERP)

What could happen to someone in AFlutter?

• Signs and symtpoms
  • Palpitations
  • Fast steady heart beat
  • Shortness of breath (especially upon exertion)
  • Anxiety/Nervousness
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Syncope

If untreated can lead to cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and Afib.

How do you treat AFlutter?

Generally speaking, AFlutter itself isn’t life-threatening, however, long term, it can cause complications similar to Afib. The most common treatment for Aflutter is cardioversion and medications.

•  Medications
  • Ibutilide (Corvert)
    • Give to patients before cardioversion
  • Amiodarone (Coradarone)
  • Diltiazem (Cardizem)
• Severely compromised
  • Cardioversion (treatment of choice)
  • Rapid atrial overdrive pacing
  • Radiofrequency catheter ablation

 

 

When the Sinoatrial (SA) node and the Atrioventricular (AV) node are not pacing the heart correctly, the purkinje fibers (bundle of HIS) take over. These are located in the ventricles. This is the end of the road for pacing the heart and the body cannot sustain life using the ventricles only for very long.

 

Ventricular Tachycardia (VTach) is a rapid heartbeat above 100 bpm originating in the ventricles. It is defined as three or more Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs) in a row and can lead to Ventricular Fibrillation (Vfib). This is one of the shockable rhythms, the other is Ventricular Fibrillation. There are two types of VTach:

 

• Monomorphic: QRS’s are the same size
• Polymorphic: QRS’s are different size and shape

Recognizing VTach on an EKG

The rhythm is regular but the rate is fast (above 100 bpm). The QRS complex is widened and P waves can be difficult to identify. This is a very easy rhythm to glance at and interpret due to its characteristic waves.

What causes VTach?

VTach can occur in patients who have heart diseases such as:

• Cardiomyopathy
• Heart failure
• Heart surgery
• Myocarditis
• Valvular heart disease

And can be present due to abnormal blood conditions such as:

• Hypokalemia
• pH change
• Hypoxia

What could happen to someone in VTach?

A patient with VTach could be asymptomatic, however, signs and symptoms include:

• Signs and symptoms
  • Dizziness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Palpitations
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Syncope
  • Loss of consciousness

If left untreated, VTach can cause sudden cardiac death

How do you treat VTach?

The most immediate goal is to slow the heart rate. This is managed through medications (such as Lidocaine, Procainamide, Sotalol, or Amiodarone), defibrillation and possible cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Chronic long term VTach is treated with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

Ventricular Fibrillation, also called VFib, is the most serious cardiac rhythm. Untreated Ventricular Tachycardia leads to VFib. The ventricles quiver because the electrical activity is disordered. This quivering causes the heart to not be able to pump blood, leading to cardiac arrest.

 

Recognizing V.Fib on an EKG

VFib is easily recognized because of its rapid, chaotic, and irregular nature. The QRS complexes are variable in height and width as well as there are no P waves.

What causes V.Fib?

VFib can be caused by:

• acute myocardial infarction
• trauma
• drug overdose such as heroin
• electrolyte imbalances

Ventricular tachycardia will become ventricular fibrillation if it is left untreated. Electrolyte imbalances also can cause VFib because our muscles (the heart is a giant muscle) uses calcium (Ca-) and potassium (K+) to contract and magnesium (Mg) to relax.

What could happen to someone in V.Fib?

Your patient will likely lose consciousness and they will not have a pulse. VFib needs to be recognized and treated immediately because it leads to cardiac arrest and death.

EKG FAQ’s

How do you read an ekg strip?

By looking at the waveforms on the EKG graph you look for the P wave followed by the QRS wave and T wave in that specific order.

How to measure an ekg strip?

Each small box is 0.04 seconds and each large box is 0.20 seconds. There are 5 small boxes in a large box (0.04 X 5 = 0.20 seconds).

How many seconds is an ekg strip?

Most EKG strips are 6 seconds, the graph paper has a marking on the top or bottom to indicate every 3 seconds. You can also count the large boxes, 30 large boxes equal 6 seconds, most 12 lead EKGs are 10 seconds long.

What does an abnormal EKG strip look like?

An abnormal EKG strip will not follow the traditional P wave, QRS wave, and T wave order. There could be an additional P wave or an extra QRS complex or an irregular rhythm.

How to calculate a heart rate on an EKG strip?

By counting the R waves on a 6-second strip and multiplying by 10. You can count the small boxes between the R waves and divide 1500 by the number of R waves (1500/20 = 75). Or you can count the large boxes

How do you treat V. Fib?

This is the time you call a code blue, grab the crash cart, and get on the patients’ chest. With VFib, it is super important to defibrillate as soon as possible. For further details about running a code, check out the ACLS algorithm.   Check out this awesome website for more helpful information about cardiac rhythms!

3 Common EKG Changes and Nursing Interventions

When you’re taking care of patients on cardiac monitoring, It’s important to be able to not only identify rhythm changes but also have an idea of some typical interventions for these changes. I’m going to go over a few common ECG changes and typical subsequent nursing interventions.

 

Increasing Pre-ventricular Contractions (PVCs) As you’re looking at the monitor, you’re noticing that there are more PVC’s. Maybe at the beginning of the shift there, they were pretty infrequent, but they are becoming more frequent as the shift goes on.  Whenever I first notice this, I typically get a full set of vitals. It’s also important to check and see what the patient’s latest electrolytes were and when they were drawn. Electrolyte imbalances can cause an increase in PVCs, so I like to have all of this information before I call the physician.  Typically, the physician will ask about the latest labs, intake, and output, vitals, as well as which medications the patient received so far today. If the patient has an electrolyte imbalance, they may most like will order medications to correct this (potassium, magnesium, and calcium, are just a few examples). This is quite a priority and needs to be done as soon as possible, as if this issue is left untreated it can progress to much more serious dysrhythmias. Additionally, if the patient’s blood pressure is low, they may also order fluid boluses and more frequent monitoring. If these imbalances and issues are treated early, you may avoid a coding patient later on in the shift.

 

Let’s say your patient had cardiac surgery a few days ago. A very common complication from cardiac surgery is atrial fibrillation.  You all of a sudden hear the cardiac monitor’s alarm going off, and you see that your patient who previously were in normal sinus rhythm with a heart rate in the 80s now have a heart rate of 175. This is a major, drop everything right now priority.

You will need to call the physician STAT – however, one of the first questions the physician is going to ask is what the blood pressure is. Therefore, I highly recommend finding out what the blood pressure is and if the patient is symptomatic first. It’s ideal if this can be done simultaneously.  For example, delegate obtaining a full set of vitals to a nursing assistant while you quickly assessed the patient and call the physician. Tip!  The automatic blood pressure machines do not accurately read atrial fibrillation.  Therefore, if your patient flips into a fib with RVR you must obtain manual blood pressure.

Dean's interventions for this are very situational. However, the physician may order a patient to have synchronized cardioversion or they may order a chemical conversion. They synchronize cardioversion is exactly what it sounds like. You will need to get the crash carts and place the pads on the patients and shock them.  If the physician would like you to chemically convert the patient, that means they will order a medication like Cardizem or amiodarone to be given intravenously and for them to be placed on a drip. You would follow your hospital policies and procedures on how to do this specifically, But typically you give these medications and after certain amount of time if the patient hasn’t responded, you would increase the dose per of the guidelines or notify the physician and intervene differently. The goal is to decrease the heart rate to less than 100 BPM because if they continue to stay in afib with RVR, the risk of a blood clot forming and being thrown into circulation significantly increases and therefore results in a pulmonary embolism or stroke.

 

Let’s say you have a patient who did flip into atrial fibrillation, and while you were successful at bringing the heart rate down below 100, but were unsuccessful in attempting to get the patient back into normal sinus rhythm. (There are various interventions to attempt to get them back to normal sinus rhythm, but for this scenario were just going to say that they are in controlled atrial fibrillation). So what do we do for this? Our major concern for a patient who is in atrial fibrillation is blood clots. With the atria not contracting fully and therefore expelling all of the blood out the chambers, blood begins to pool and therefore can form clots.

These clots can dislodge and be sent into circulation and become a pulmonary embolism or a stroke. This is a big deal.  These patients must be anticoagulated. The physician may decide to put this patient on a heparin drip to quickly thin their blood, and then bridge them to Coumadin. This is done because patients cannot take heparin at home in the dose that is required for this purpose. If the physician decides to do this, then you would start them on a heparin drip to get that blood thin as soon as possible, and monitor their labs appropriately (some facilities monitor the PTT, some AntiXa).

Whenever ordered by the physician, you would then initiate Coumadin and monitor this with the INR.  The patient would be on both medications.  Patients can get concerned that their blood is too thin, however, this is very necessary! Educate appropriately. The physician will establish a therapeutic range for both of these levels and once the therapeutic or acceptable INR has been achieved, they will stop the heparin drip and then discharge when clinically appropriate.  The patient will be on an anticoagulant as long as they are in atrial fibrillation. I hope these scenarios have been helpful.  If you’d like to learn more about EKGs, check out our NRSNG Academy, which includes an entire course on EKGs!

Many hospitalized patients are on some form of cardiac monitoring.  There is some pretty consistent basic equipment that helps to be familiar with when dealing with taking care of patients who are attached to this monitoring.  Let’s go over a few aspects of cardiac monitoring equipment basics for nursing students… Note: we are discussing common and general tips about this equipment to help nursing students with clinical… there are many brands and manufacturers of these items and this list is by no means all-inclusive.  Please see your facility’s policies and procedures related to cardiac monitoring.

 

 

Are what attach to the stickers on the patient’s chest.  For routine continuous cardiac monitoring, 5-6 leads are utilized, depending on the device.  I’ve been at hospitals that use both 5 and 6, but you must have at least 5 (V1, V2, V3, V4, V5).  You will know which your facility uses simply by counting them. These are color-coded and labeled typically with which lead they are.  White, green, black, red, and brown are the colors utilized most frequently with a 5-lead system. 

 

 

If your patient is in the intensive care environment, step-down/intermediate care, a procedural area, or the emergency department, typically these leads plug into the cardiac monitor that is sitting next to their bed.  The nurse or physician can visualize the reading immediately and troubleshoot lead placement or issues with the tracing.  This tracing was also visible at the nurse's station. However, if your patient is on a regular nursing floor, then these leads hook up to a small box, which sits in the patient’s own pocket.  

The information is wirelessly transmitted to the screens at the nurse's station, and also typically on another floor as well.  Many facilities have a telemetry unit, which houses a bunch of telemetry technicians.  They are trained in reading cardiac monitoring, monitor many patients at a time, and routinely go through each patient’s reading and ensure it hasn’t changed.  They communicate with nurses on the floor regularly to let them know if a patient’s rhythm has changed, or if the patient has come off of the monitor.  This is important because the nurse it taking care of all of his or her patients all day and not sitting at the desk, looking at the monitor.   These boxes cannot get wet, so if your patient needs to shower/bathe, they cannot wear them at this time.  Many facilities have policies in which you call the telemetry unit to let them know the patient will be off of the monitor to bathe so they don’t get concerned. I hope this super basic rundown of routine cardiac monitoring equipment has been helpful!  

When your patient has a pacemaker and has cardiac monitoring ordered there are a few things that you need to do to ensure this is done correctly. Note: Please refer to your hospital policies and procedures when completing this task on patients, as this can vary from facility to facility. This is for informational purposes only.  

Essentially, lead placement is similar for patients with pacemakers.  You want to put them in the typical spots (if you’re not sure where to place leads on patients without pacemakers,  check out our awesome cheat sheet that shows you exactly where these leads should go) and if it’s not picking up, then you can adjust a few things.  The placement will depend on your facility’s policies, however, some will suggest moving the leads to the patient’s posterior side, shoulder, or elsewhere. Do not place the leads/stickers directly on the pacemaker, on bony prominence, incisions (like a fresh pacemaker incision!), or where there are issues with compromised skin. After placing the leads where appropriate, it is important to turn on the pacemaker mode on the actual cardiac monitor.

This will look at different depending upon the manufacturer of the cardiac monitor however, it’s really important to do this because the pacemaker affects the monitor and it needs to know that the patient has one. If you’re at a facility where telemetry technicians run the monitor, they may take care of this step for you. In this case, it is important that they know if the patient has a pacemaker or not. You’ll turn on this mode, per the manufacturer’s instructions.  You should see pacing spikes (little white tick marks) whenever pacing occurs.  Some patients will be “paced” 100% of the time, some half the time, some rarely…, and everything in between.  

It’s important to know the kind of pacemaker (single vs. dual), and what it’s set at (60 bpm is pretty common), and document this appropriately. This is a great description of different kinds of pacemakers. However, you most likely will not need to know the information this in-depth unless you’re working in a cardiac unit. Also, keep in mind that if a patient has a pacemaker, they cannot have an MRI!  An MRI is a huge magnet and will cause major problems.       I hope these little tips were helpful.  For more information about EKGs, check out our EKG Course, which is part of NURSING.com.