AMCA ETC flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Systole

The phase of the cardiac cycle in which the ventricles contract and eject blood into the pulmonary artery and aorta.

Diastole

The phase of the cardiac cycle in which the ventricles relax and fill with blood from the atria.

Cardiac output

The volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, calculated as heart rate multiplied by stroke volume.

SA node

The primary pacemaker of the heart, located in the right atrium, firing at about 60 to 100 impulses per minute at rest.

P wave

The deflection on an EKG representing depolarization of the atria, normally upright in lead II and preceding each QRS.

QRS complex

The EKG deflection representing ventricular depolarization; a normal duration is less than 0.12 second.

T wave

The EKG deflection representing ventricular repolarization, normally following the QRS complex.

PR interval

The time from the start of the P wave to the start of the QRS complex, normally 0.12 to 0.20 second.

Standard precautions

Infection control practices applied to all patients, including hand hygiene and gloves when contact with blood or body fluids is possible.

Two patient identifiers

The requirement to confirm identity using two independent items, such as full name and date of birth, before recording or labeling an EKG.

Technician scope of practice

The EKG technician records tracings and recognizes artifact and life-threatening rhythms but does not diagnose or independently interpret rhythms.

Electrical safety inspection

Checking cords, plugs, and equipment for damage and keeping cables away from liquids to prevent shock or fire hazards.

Emergency notification

The technician's immediate action of staying with the patient and calling for help when a life-threatening rhythm is observed.

V1 electrode placement

Chest lead placed at the fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border.

V4 electrode placement

Chest lead placed at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line.

Wandering baseline artifact

A slow undulating baseline on the EKG caused by patient movement, loose electrodes, or poor skin contact.

Somatic tremor artifact

Irregular spiky baseline noise on the EKG caused by muscle movement, shivering, or patient tension.

60-cycle interference

A thick or fuzzy baseline caused by electrical interference, often from poor electrode contact or nearby electrical equipment.

Paper speed 25 mm/s

The standard EKG recording speed at which one small box equals 0.04 second and one large box equals 0.20 second.

Calibration mark

A standard signal of 10 mm height representing 1 mV, verified at the start of a tracing to confirm proper gain.

Skin preparation

Cleaning the electrode site with alcohol or an abrasive pad, clipping excessive hair, and drying the skin to improve signal quality.

Rate by large boxes

A method of estimating heart rate by dividing 300 by the number of large boxes between two consecutive R waves.

Normal sinus rhythm

A regular rhythm with an upright P wave before every QRS, rate 60 to 100, PR interval 0.12 to 0.20 second, and QRS under 0.12 second.

Atrial fibrillation

An irregularly irregular rhythm with no distinct P waves and a fibrillatory baseline.

Atrial flutter

A rhythm with sawtooth flutter waves, often with a regular 2:1 to 4:1 AV conduction ratio.

Premature ventricular contraction

A wide, bizarre QRS complex occurring early without a preceding P wave; frequent or multifocal PVCs require prompt provider notification.

Ventricular tachycardia

A wide-complex tachycardia usually above 100 beats per minute; pulseless VT is a cardiac arrest rhythm requiring immediate emergency response.

Ventricular fibrillation

A chaotic, irregular waveform with no identifiable QRS complexes; it is a shockable cardiac arrest rhythm.

Asystole

A flatline with no electrical activity; verify leads and gain before confirming, then begin emergency response.

Holter monitor

An ambulatory EKG recorder worn for 24 to 48 hours while the patient logs symptoms and activities for correlation.

Event monitor

A patient-activated recorder used to capture EKG data during infrequent symptoms.

Defibrillation indication

Delivery of an electrical shock for ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia; asystole and pulseless electrical activity are not shockable.