Cardiac rhythms

gwenith, BSN, RN · May 22, 2004

Look in the CCU forum there is a thread there that I started - not the best but it does contain some tips and some good websites.

RNPATL, DNP, RN · May 23, 2004

Hey everyone,
I am so frustrated about learning about these crazy lookin' cardiac rhythm strips!:angryfire They are sooo hard to learn to me. :imbar Did anybody else have this problem? Please help if there is an easier way to study them or learn them. OH, by the way...only 7 months to go!!!!!! yippee:balloons:
Thanks a bunch
BSN2004NSU

Here are some tips that might help you to recognize rhythms. These were tips given to me when I was pretty new in cardiac and they really helped me.

Rate: Is the rate fast, slow, regular or irregular.

P Waves: Are there P waves (this is always a good sign).

PR Interval: Is the PR interval WNL (not >.20)

QRS: Narrow, wide and preceded by a P wave.

I would always start with the normal rhythms first .... being able to recognize normal sinus rhythm is the first stage. Next, I would move on to the abnormal sinus rhythms .... like brady and tachy. From there, learn to recognize your A. Fibs and A. Flutters. Before moving to anything else, it is nice to be able to recognize life threatening rhythms such as Ventricular Tachy and V. Fib.

After you have learned these rhythms, then you can start on your blocks and your junctional rhythms. Remember, learning rhythms can be tough and you should take every chance you get to talk with the monitor tech or the RN you are with during your clinicals so you can practice reading strips. Buy yourself a pair of callibrators and start practicing at every opportunity. Before you know it, you will have a basic knowledge of the most common rhythms.

It is also helpful to take a basic EKG course or go to a basic arrhythmia class.

Hope this helps and good luck.

PS - if you have a PDA - go to the following site and download their free Palm EKG software for your palm .... it has been a great learning tool for me.

http://www.emszone.com