CHEST PAIN ASSESSMENT AND EKG - QUIZ

Chest pain is a very common complaint . It may occur anywhere
and anytime, even at rest. It may be related to stress or actual
damage to the heart. A patient having a heart attack, may very
readily complain of chest pain.

Helpful hints:
If the patient in your care is complaining of chest pain, 
immediate action should be taken to assess the pain.
Chest pain may be sharp, severe and stabbing.
It may also feel like pressure in the chest or 
Like a pair of hands squeezing the chest. 

It is important to do a pain assessment on a
scale of 1-10 and document results. It is also of
note to ask the patient to describe the character 
and duration of the pain. Always remember to
document all interventions.

Follow your Institution's policies, procedures
and MD orders for chest pain.

Do you know your heart

Simple EKG interpretation:

The EKG (Electrocardiogram) is a noninvasive,
simple diagnostic test. It is  a reflection of 
the electrical conduction system of the heart.
It consists of 12 leads.
A myocardial infarction ( heart attack) can be
detected on the EKG.

The SA (Sinoatrial node) is the pacemaker of 
the heart. It is located in the right atrium.This
can best be described as a light switch being
turned on.
When the SA node fires, both atria contract.
The AV node ( Atrioventricular node) fires, 
the ventricles contract.

Sessions 42 - Cardiac Assessment

To simplify the EKG :
P wave - Atrial contraction
QRS - Ventricular contraction
T wave - Repolorization ( recovery ) a brief rest and recovery
in the cardiac cycle.
Watch the video:
EKG Interpretation

QUIZ QUESTIONS

1) If a patient is having chest pain, what are some of the responsibilities
of the nurse?
2) Describe what chest pain may feel like.
3) What is the EKG?
4) Describe the different waves.

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