Pocket ECGs for Nurses

The ECG is one of the most commonly used investigations in contemporary medicine. Interpretation of the ECG can appear daunting, but it is actually relatively straightforward as long as a systematic approach is taken. Pocket ECGs for Nurses assists with this task by providing a detailed yet readable introduction to ECG interpretation, supplemented by clinical information about how to act based on its findings. The book begins by covering the basics of cardiac anatomy and physiology and how these relate to the ECG. It then guides nurses on how to perform a high-quality ECG recording, interpret it and make sense of common ECG abnormalities. The book also includes a guide to ambulatory and bedside monitoring as well as useful chapter summaries. This pocketbook is an essential reference for the non-specialist who needs to be able to record and perform a basic and safe interpretation of an ECG. Written in plain language with clear explanations, bullet lists and summaries throughout, this handy guide will benefit nurses as well as paramedics and other allied health professionals in recording and reading ECGs.

The Basics of the Heartbeat The Heart Chambers The Heart’s Myocytes Anatomy of the Electrical SystemFurther ReadingThe Basics of the ECG ECG Leads The Names of the ECG Waves Normal Values QRS (‘Cardiac’) Axis Abnormal Cardiac AxisFurther Reading How to Record a 12-Lead ECG Initial Preparations Skin PreparationElectrode Placement Special Electrode Positions Recording the 12-Lead ECG After Making the Recording Further ReadingHow to Read a 12-Lead ECG Patient Data Clinical Data Technical Data ECG Fundamentals ECG Details Clinical Summary Further ReadingHeart Rate: Bradycardia and Tachycardia Method 1: Counting Large Squares Method 2: Counting Small Squares Method 3: Counting QRS Complexes P Wave Rate Bradycardia and TachycardiaFurther ReadingAn Approach to Heart Rhythms Identifying the Cardiac RhythmDetermining the Cardiac Rhythm Further ReadingSupraventricular Rhythms Sinus Rhythm Sinus Arrhythmia Sinus Bradycardia Sinus Tachycardia Sick Sinus Syndrome Atrial Ectopic Beats Atrial FibrillationAtrial Flutter Atrial Tachycardia AV Re-Entry TachycardiaAV Nodal Re-Entry Tachycardia Further ReadingVentricular Rhythms Ventricular Ectopic Beats Accelerated Idioventricular Rhythm Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia Ventricular Fibrillation Further ReadingConduction Problems and Types of Block Conduction Problems at the SA Node Conduction Problems at the AV NodeBlock at the Bundle BranchesBlock at the Fascicles Escape Rhythms Further ReadingQRS Complexes and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Q Wave Tall QRS ComplexesSmall QRS Complexes Broad QRS ComplexesFurther Reading ST Segment Elevation and Depression Assessing the ST SegmentST Segment Elevation ST Segment Depression Further ReadingT Wave Changes Tall Upright T Waves Small T Waves Inverted T Waves Further ReadingQT Interval Prolongation What Is the QT Interval? Measuring the QT Interval ‘Correcting’ the QT Interval What Is a Normal QTC Interval? Risks of a Long QT Interval Causes of a Long QT Interval Treatment of a Long QT Interval Further Reading Bedside and Ambulatory Monitoring Inpatient ECG Monitoring Outpatient ECG Monitoring The Future of ECG Monitoring Further ReadingSummary of Key Points Basics of the Heartbeat Basics of the ECG How to Record a 12-Lead ECG How to Read a 12-Lead ECG Heart Rate: Tachycardia and Bradycardia Approach to Heart Rhythms Supraventricular Rhythms Ventricular Rhythms Conduction Problems and Types of Block QRS Complexes and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy ST Segment Elevation and Depression T Wave Changes QT Interval Prolongation Bedside and Ambulatory Monitoring Appendix A: ECG Resources Appendix B: Help with the Next Edition

Andrew R. Houghton