Week 4 Lab: EKG

Finishing Up Last Week: 

Before we move onto the next topic, we need to finish up last week's topic by taking the  Post-Class Assessment on Blood Vessels.  You will have a 48-hour window to complete the assessment. The assessment will be graded and timed (40 minutes). You only have one chance to take the assessment, so be sure to prepare by studying the material before taking the assessment. The assessment is a closed note, closed book exam. The goal of the assessment is to prepare you for the in-class midterm and final by helping you determine on which areas you will need to focus, as they will have similar questions. After you complete this assessment, you will move onto the next topic. Keep in mind that this is not the last time you will see this topic as the remainder of the quarter builds on previous material. 

The Next Topic:

The next topic we will focus on is the EKG. EKG, the same thing as an ECG, is the abbreviation for electrocardiogram, a way to measure the electrical conduction in the heart. This diagnostic tool allows us to determine the health and functionality of the heart. If the heart fails, as we learned last week, then blood isn't pumped throughout the body and you die. If the electrical conduction system within the heart is dysfunctional, then the heart can't contract to pump blood. 

By the end of this week's lab, you should be able to:

  1. Describe the waves, segments, and intervals of an EKG and the meaning of each. 
  2. Understand where electrodes are placed on the body to record an EKG. 
  3. Interpret EKGs, including calculation of heart rate, determination of heart rhythm, PR interval, and QRS duration, and assessing the P wave.
  4. Identify abnormal EKGs and locate where the error in conduction occurs. 

 

Pre-lab Activities

In order to prepare for lab, you should complete at least ONE of the following activities. Keep in mind that you need to retain the information that is given in these resources. You are encouraged to take notes while reading, watching, or listening. If you need help taking notes, we have created a brief outline of terms (available Download here

) that you should be able to define and questions you should be able to answer after completing the prelab activities.  

  1. Read Exercise 14 in lab manual 
  2. Watch (or listen to) the following video: 

 

 

Once you have completed these activities and to ensure that you've learned the basic material, you should take the Pre-Lab Assessment on EKG prior to coming to your lab class. If you feel that these resources do not meet your needs, you can check the Additional Resources for EKG as you feel necessary. 

Lab Activities

The lab this week on EKGs expands on the information you learned from either the lab manual or the video and illustrated in the Pre-Lab Assessment on EKG. 

If you need a bit more support for this topic, please check out these videos on EKGs:

12 Lead ECG Placement of Electrodes | EKG Sticker Lead Procedure Links to an external site.12 Lead ECG Placement of Electrodes | EKG Sticker Lead Procedure

ECG Interpretation Made Easy - How to Read a 12 Lead EKG Systematically! Links to an external site.ECG Interpretation Made Easy - How to Read a 12 Lead EKG Systematically!