EKG tips for Dummies

Nurses General Nursing

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Does anyone have easy tips/mnemonics for remembering different EKG strips, or for remembering what will cause changes in EKG strips?

Or easy, informative books to understand and reference too?

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Specializes in Pulmonary, MICU.

The only real like "tip" type thing that I have to remember EKG changes is that you can look at the T-Wave as a tent for potassium. If you have a low K, you will have flattened out T-waves. If you have a high K, you will have tall-peaked T-waves. Other than that I just took a class or two on EKG interpretation and now just have the different rhythms memorized. I recommend you take a class.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

If you want to understand the patho behind certain rhythms then Dr. Dubins Interpretations on EKGs is a really good book. It's how i thought myself to read EKGs at 17 Years old. I was better than most medics..It's a good start and it has alot of good stuff in it to help you remember

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Elevated ST segments with inverted T waves = myocardial damage/ischemia (Myocardial infarction)

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Specializes in family, internal, pediatric.

There is a book EKG for Dummies, easy to understand, many websites as well for EKG interpretation. American heart association has a section for professionals with explanations of rhythms.

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Just a couple that I use:

Sync (synchronize) the sick, defib (defibrillate) the dead

Heart blocks -

1st degree, PR greater than .20

2nd degree, type 1 : prolong, prolong, drop, prolong, prolong drop (patterened lengthening of PR until a beat is missed)

2nd degree, type 2: conduct, nonconduct, conduct, nonconduct (no change is PR length but beat is missed - has P wave, but no QRS follows);)

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Oncology.

I'm almost positive that there is a Nursing Made Incredibly Easy! book on EKGs, all their other books have helped me tremendously so I have great faith that their EKG book is probably phenomenal as well :)

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Specializes in jack of all trades.

Online course for a fee but really not that expensive and very good program. I really enjoyed it and being virtual helped alot. 5 ceu's for if I remember around $57.00. The 12-lead course is bit too expensive though for my blood at $330.00. I did the basic rhythm course

http://www.ecgrhythmcourse.com/index.cfm

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there's a good book called "rapid interpretation of ekgs," i think is its title. it's orange. i remember that much! not sure if it's still in print...

& there used to be stuff on http://www.blaufuss.org about arrhythmias & heart sounds, but i'm not sure if it's still there.

i don't know any mnemonics, sorry!

sorry am not very much help!

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Oddly enough, I'm taking a class tomorrow and they recommend ECG Interpretation Made Incredibly Easy. They photo copied a couple chapters for us to review prior to class.

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Specializes in ER, Med/Surg.

The things used to name various points start at "P" and go down the alphabet from there.... :jester:

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