NCCT NCET flashcards

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

Scope of ECG technician

Technicians perform ECG recordings and basic rhythm recognition but do not interpret or diagnose; they report findings to a physician or supervising clinician.

Critical rhythm escalation

If a life-threatening rhythm such as ventricular fibrillation or asystole is seen, the technician must immediately alert the care team and initiate emergency response per protocol.

Infection control duty

Technicians must perform hand hygiene and clean reusable electrodes between patients to prevent cross-contamination.

Patient education role

Explaining the ECG procedure and reassuring the patient is within the technician's scope; obtaining informed consent is typically the physician's responsibility.

Documentation responsibility

Technicians document the procedure, patient response, and any artifacts; accurate documentation is essential for patient care and legal record.

V1 electrode placement

V1 is placed at the fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border.

V4 electrode placement

V4 is placed at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line.

Limb electrode placement

Limb electrodes are placed on the right arm, left arm, right leg, and left leg, avoiding bony prominences and joints.

Skin preparation

Clean the skin with alcohol and dry it; shave excessive hair if needed to reduce artifact and ensure good electrode contact.

Patient positioning

Position the patient supine or semi-recumbent with limbs relaxed and supported to minimize muscle artifact during the ECG recording.

Standard paper speed

The standard ECG paper speed is 25 mm/s, which means one small box is 0.04 seconds and one large box is 0.20 seconds.

Standard gain setting

The standard gain is 10 mm/mV, meaning a 1 mV signal produces a 10 mm deflection on the ECG paper.

Calibration pulse check

A calibration pulse should be 10 mm high and 0.2 seconds wide at standard settings, confirming proper gain and paper speed.

Baseline wander cause

Baseline wander is often caused by respiration or patient movement; it can be reduced by having the patient relax and hold still.

AC interference

60 Hz electrical interference appears as a thick, fuzzy baseline; check electrode contact, cable connections, and nearby electrical equipment.

Somatic tremor artifact

Muscle tremor causes irregular, spiky artifact; help the patient relax and support the limbs to minimize it.

Troubleshooting loose electrode

If an electrode is loose or dried out, replace it and re-prep the skin; poor contact causes artifact and false readings.

Rhythm strip length

Record at least a 10-second rhythm strip, usually lead II, to assess rhythm and rate accurately.

Normal sinus rhythm criteria

Normal sinus rhythm has a rate of 60-100 bpm, regular rhythm, P wave before every QRS, PR interval 0.12-0.20 s, and QRS <0.12 s.

Sinus bradycardia

Sinus bradycardia is a sinus rhythm with a rate below 60 bpm; it may be normal in athletes or caused by medications.

Sinus tachycardia

Sinus tachycardia is a sinus rhythm with a rate above 100 bpm; common causes include fever, pain, anxiety, and exercise.

Atrial fibrillation characteristics

Atrial fibrillation is an irregularly irregular rhythm with absent P waves and a fibrillatory baseline; the ventricular rate varies.

Ventricular tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia has wide QRS complexes (>0.12 s) and a rate typically >100 bpm; it is a medical emergency if pulseless.

Ventricular fibrillation

Ventricular fibrillation is a chaotic, irregular waveform with no identifiable QRS complexes; immediate defibrillation is required.

Asystole confirmation

Asystole appears as a flat line; confirm that leads are connected properly and gain is set correctly before declaring asystole.

Heart rate calculation

Calculate heart rate by dividing 300 by the number of large boxes between R waves, or 1500 by the number of small boxes.

Strip labeling requirements

Each ECG strip must be labeled with patient name, date, time, lead, and any symptoms or interventions for accurate identification.

SBAR communication

SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is a structured method for reporting changes in patient condition to clinicians.

Critical value reporting

Report critical ECG findings such as new ST elevation or ventricular arrhythmias immediately to the responsible clinician per facility protocol.

Documenting patient symptoms

Record any symptoms (chest pain, palpitations, dyspnea) and vital signs at the time of the ECG to correlate with findings.

Interventions documentation

Note any interventions (oxygen, medication) and the patient's response in the medical record to provide a complete clinical picture.

Patient identification

Verify patient identification using at least two identifiers before reporting ECG results to prevent miscommunication and ensure patient safety.