| Term | Definition |
| electrocardiogram | -ECG / EKG
-record produced by electrocardiography |
| electrical cardiac cycle | one set of PQRST waves |
| P wave | atrial depolarization (contraction) as initiated by the SA node |
| QRS complex | ventricular depolarization (contraction) |
| T wave | repolarization (returning to a resting / relaxed state) |
| artifact | errors on EKG rhythm strips caused by a variety of factors including somatic (muscle) tremors, wandering baseline (poor contact with skin), and 60-cycle or AC current interference |
| V1 | 4th intercostal space, right sternal border |
| V2 | 4th intercostal space, left sternal border |
| V3 | Midway between V2 and V4 |
| V4 | 5th intercostal space, below nipple, left of midclavicular line |
| V5 | Left of anterior axillary fold, in line with V4 |
| V6 | Left of MIDAXILLARY, in line with V4 and V5 |
| Lead I | right arm to left arm (top of triangle) |
| Lead II | right arm to left leg (right side of triangle) |
| Lead III | left arm to left leg (left side of triangle) |
| AVR | Right arm + midpoint of left arm and left leg |
| AVL | Left arm + midpoint of right arm and left leg |
| AVF | Left leg + midpoint of right arm and left arm |
| EKG paper | moves at speed of 25 mm/sec in all machines |
| 2 types of EKG machines | -single channel (one lead at a time)
-multichannel (all 12 leads simultaneously) |
| MA's responsibility when recording an EKG | produce a clear and accurate tracing for each patient |
| When do you change from 25 mm/sec to 50 mm/sec | when the heart rate is rapid, such as tachycardia |
| chest leads | precordial leads |
| intercostal space | space between ribs |
| sinus bradycardia (abn strip) | normal cycles but less than 60 bpm |
| sinus tachycardia (abn strip) | normal cycles but more than 100 bpm |
| ventricular fibrillation (abn strip) | -waves are irregular and rounded
-contractions uncoordinated |
| ventricular tachycardia (abn strip) | -3 or more consecutive pvc's
-complexes are wide/tall and bizarre in appearance |
| rhythm strip | run on lead II for 20 seconds |
| inspiration strip | run on lead II for 10 seconds while pt is holding breath |
| Multiple Gated Acquisition Scan | -MUGA
-test to check perfusion in myocardium
-does not require exercise |
| Holter monitor | -recorded for 24 hour period
-uses 5 disposable chest sensors |
| pacemakers | -electronic devices that help heart maintain normal rhythm
-increases heart rate in bradycardia
-decreases heart rate in tachycardia |
| Pulmonary Function Tests | -PFTs
-are a part of a pt's yearly physical to determine a baseline study of their lung function |
| Total Lung Capacity | -TLC
-volume of the lungs at peak inspiration
- = tidal vol + exp reserve vol + insp reserve vol + residual vol |
| Inspiratory Capacity | -IC
-amt of air that can be inhaled after normal expiration |
| Vital Capacity | -VC
-amt of air that can be exhaled following forced inspiration and including maximum expiration |
| pulmonary conditions | -coughing
-wheezing
-cyanosis
-rales - crackles heard when listening to the chest
-hemoptysis - blood in sputum |
| rales | -pulmonary condition
-crackles heard when listening to the chest |
| hemoptysis | -pulmonary condition
-blood in sputum |
| Disorders of Respiratory System (5) | -hay fever
-pneumonia
-pleuritis
-pneumothorax
-hemothorax |
| hay fever | disorder of respiratory system
-aka allergic rhinitis
-allergic rxn to dust, pollen, etc that causes runny nose, sneezing, and congestion |
| pneumonia | disorder of respiratory system
-inflammation or fluid fills the alveoli
-due to infection caused by bacteria, virus, or fungus |
| pleuritis | disorder of respiratory system
-aka pleurisy
-inflammation of the lining of the chest wall and lungs
-sharp pain upon inspiration
-can develop after other lung infections, trauma, or diseases |
| pneumothorax | disorder of respiratory system
-collapsed lung
-caused by buildup of air / gases that accumulate in pleura (space between chest wall and lungs) |
| hemothorax | disorder of respiratory system
-collection of blood in pleura
-most commonly caused by chest trauma |
| spirometry | -non-invasive test that measures the ability of the lungs to exhale
-reflects elasticity, ability to ventilate, and strength of respiratory muscles |
| pulmonary volumes (4) | 1. Tidal volume
2. Expiratory Reserve Volume
3. Inspiratory Reserve Volume
4. Residual Volume |
| Pulmonary Capacities (4) | 1. Total lung capacity
2. Vital capacity
3. inspiratory capacity
4. functional residual capacity |
| Expiratory Reserve Volume | -ERV
-max amt of air left that can be exhaled after normal expiration |
| Forced Vital Capacity | -FVC
-Amt of air that can be forcefully exhaled from a max inhaltion |
| peak flow meter | -measures the pt's ability to move air into and out of the lungs
-MA's responsibility to teach pt and family ht use it
-usually average three tries
-pt should keep a daily log of results |
| oxygen saturation | -measured in %
-determines the Oxygen content of arterial blood
-can determine dangerous levels even before hypoxia sets in |
| nebulizer | -delivers medication via aerosol to deeper areas of lungs
-can be done in office or at home
-in office, check drug 3 times before mixing with diluent |
| inhaler | -holds about 200 doses of prescribed med
-can be used alone or with spacer
-often misused, resulting in inadequate treatments |
