NEED HELP Understanding HEARTWAVES

[superdad08]

Hi everyone, anybody has advice on how to easily understand heartwaves? can you suggest any websites? Thanks.:redbeathe

[heartnurse2be]

By heartwaves do you mean interpreting rhythm strips?

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

these links will get you into pages where you will learn what the basic ekg waveform means. on some sites you can go into greater depth and learn more.

• http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/vlabs/cardiology/content/dtg/ecg/ecg.html - electrocardiography (ecg)
  
• http://lanoswww.epfl.ch/personal/schimmin/uni/ecglex/ekg.htm - elementary ecg (aka ekg) - scroll down the page to the section entitled "elements of the ecg"
  
• http://rnbob.tripod.com/#section_3_cardiology_in_critical_care - section 3 cardiology in critical care; click on "the electrocardiogram*"
  
• http://www.rnceus.com/course_frame.asp?exam_id=16&directory=ekg - ekg strip identification and evaluation; to see information on what the waves on an ekg strip mean, click on "components of the ekg waveform" at the left side of the page
  
• http://breeze.mc.maricopa.edu/p65735599/ - cardiac dysrhythmias: an online presentation; see slide 9 for an explanation of ekg waveforms
  
• http://www.medi-smart.com/cc-cardiac.htm - cardiac monitoring quick reference card
  
• http://www.madsci.com/manu/indexekg.htm - microekg manual

[jadu1106]

here is something i got from a co-worker who is attending nursing school.

it is actually on paper, not a file, with a husband/wife picture but i wanted to write it on here.

the story of the av block family

key:

p wave = wife

qrs = husband

pacer = counseling

normal sinus rhythm:

the wife (p wave) waits at home for the husband (qrs). the husband (qrs) come homes on time every night.

1st degree av block:

the wife (p wave) is waiting at home. the husband (qrs) comes home late every night, but he always comes home and its at the same time every night.

2nd degree block type i (weinkebach):

the wife (p wave) is waiting at home. the husband (qrs) come home later and later every night until one night he doesn't come at all.

note: husband (qrs) must come home at least 2 nights in a row to see this pattern.

2nd degree av block type ii:

the wife (p wave) is waiting at home. sometimes the husband (qrs) comes home, sometimes he doesn't. when he does come home, its always at the same time.

note: this is usually more serious than type i (weinkebach) and will sometimes require counseling (pacing).

3rd degree av block:

wife (p wave) is no longer waiting at home. she and her husband (qrs) are now both on separate schedules and have no relationship and they are no longer talking. each spouse has a regular, individual schedule.

note: this frequently requires counseling in the form of a temporary or permanent pacer.

i thought it was cute and wanted to share. hope it helps!

jadu1106 :heartbeat

[superdad08]

Thanks!:wink2:

[Smartferret]

jandu1106,

I haven't gotten anywhere close to learning heart blocks yet, but I copied this to a word doc so I'd have it when I do. I can see this being really helpful in remembering these someday. Thanks!

M

[obicurn]

This is really cute...AV Block

Diagnosis Wenckebach