EKG Abbreviations Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What does NSR stand for?

Normal Sinus Rhythm (correct)

Nodal Sinus Rhythm

Normal Systolic Rate

Non-Sinus Rhythm

What is the definition of Afib?

Atrial fibrillation

What is the definition of A flutter?

Atrial flutter

What does Axis refer to in EKG?

The direction of the vector for cardiac activity Signup and view all the answers

What is the PR interval?

Time elapsed from P wave to R wave Signup and view all the answers

What is a complete heart block?

Block in electrical activity at the AV node. Atria and ventricles beat independently. Signup and view all the answers

What is ectopy?

Abnormal heartbeat that does not originate in the SA node Signup and view all the answers

What does PAC stand for?

Premature atrial contraction Signup and view all the answers

What does PVC stand for?

Premature ventricular contraction Signup and view all the answers

What does PAT stand for?

Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia Signup and view all the answers

What does PSVT stand for?

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia Signup and view all the answers

What does LBBB stand for?

Left Bundle Branch Block Signup and view all the answers

What does RBBB stand for?

Right bundle branch block Signup and view all the answers

What does LVH stand for?

Left ventricular hypertrophy Signup and view all the answers

What is the QRS interval?

Time elapsed from beginning of Q wave to the end of S wave Signup and view all the answers

What is the QT interval?

Time elapsed from beginning of Q wave to the beginning of the T wave Signup and view all the answers

What does SVT stand for?

Supraventricular tachycardia Signup and view all the answers

What does SB stand for?

Sinus bradycardia Signup and view all the answers

What does ST stand for?

Sinus tachycardia Signup and view all the answers

What does LAD stand for?

Left axis deviation Signup and view all the answers

What does V fib stand for?

Ventricular fibrillation Signup and view all the answers

What does V tach stand for?

Ventricular tachycardia Signup and view all the answers

What is a U wave?

Wave after T wave, infrequently seen Signup and view all the answers

What does 1 degree AVB stand for?

First degree AV block Signup and view all the answers

What does LAFB stand for?

Left anterior fascicular block Signup and view all the answers

What does RAE stand for?

Right atrial enlargement Signup and view all the answers

What does LAE stand for?

Left atrial enlargement Signup and view all the answers

What does PRWP stand for?

Poor R wave progression Signup and view all the answers

What do 'No symbol' acute ST/T delta s indicate?

No acute ST/T changes Signup and view all the answers

What do NS ST/T delta s indicate?

Non-specific ST/T changes Signup and view all the answers

What is a Delta wave?

An early QRS vector Signup and view all the answers

What is a J point?

Point at which the QRS complex meets the ST wave Signup and view all the answers

What is T wave inversion?

Self explanatory Signup and view all the answers

What is T wave flattening?

Self explanatory Signup and view all the answers

What does ST 'arrow up' refer to?

ST elevation Signup and view all the answers

What does ST 'arrow down' refer to?

ST depression Signup and view all the answers

What are Leads in an EKG?

Roman numeral 1, 2, 3, aVR, aVL, aVF, V1 to V6 Signup and view all the answers

What are inferior leads?

Roman numeral 2, 3, aVF Signup and view all the answers

What are lateral leads?

Roman numeral 1, aVL, V5, V6 Signup and view all the answers

What are anterior leads?

V3, V4 Signup and view all the answers

What are septal leads?

V1, V2 Signup and view all the answers

What does EKG stand for?

Electrocardiogram Signup and view all the answers

What is an electrocardiogram?

Graphic line recording that shows the spread of electrical excitation to different parts of the heart. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 5 elements for documentation in EKG?

<ol> <li>Rate, 2. Rhythm, 3. AXIS, LAD, RAD, 4. Intervals (on graph: P, Q, R, S, T), 5. Who interpreted the EKG?</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is cardiac arrest?

The heart and breathing stop suddenly and without warning. Signup and view all the answers

What is a heart attack?

Occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked. Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal heart rate in bpm?

60-100 bpm Signup and view all the answers

What is 'flatlining' technically called?

Asystole Signup and view all the answers

What is systole?

Phase in the cardiac cycle in which the ventricles contract. Signup and view all the answers

What is ventricular fibrillation?

This is a chaotic rapid rhythm in which the ventricles quiver and there is no cardiac output. Signup and view all the answers

What is atrial fibrillation?

Rapid, random, ineffective contractions of the atrium. Signup and view all the answers

Thin blood is commonly treated with what?

Coumadin! (Warfarin is the generic drug name) Signup and view all the answers

What is rhythm called in a normal heartbeat?

Sinus; NSR (Normal Sinus Rhythm) Signup and view all the answers

What is bradycardia?

Slow heart rate; usually less than 60 bpm Signup and view all the answers

What is tachycardia?

Abnormally rapid heartbeat (over 100 beats per minute) Signup and view all the answers

What does STEMI stand for?

ST elevation myocardial infarction Signup and view all the answers

What is another name for a heart attack?

Myocardial infarction Signup and view all the answers

What is defibrillation?

Treatment by stopping fibrillation of heart muscles (usually by electric shock delivered by a defibrillator). Signup and view all the answers

What does AED stand for?

Automated External Defibrillator Signup and view all the answers

What is fibrillation?

Muscular twitching involving individual muscle fibers acting without coordination. Signup and view all the answers

What does RAD stand for?

Right axis deviation Signup and view all the answers

What INR level is Coumadin given to thin blood?

INR level (International Normalized Ratio) 2-3 Signup and view all the answers

What is cardioverting?

Changing someone's heart rhythm to a better one using drugs or electricity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

EKG Abbreviations and Definitions

NSR refers to Normal Sinus Rhythm, indicating a healthy heart rhythm.
Afib stands for Atrial Fibrillation, characterized by rapid and irregular beats.
A flutter indicates Atrial Flutter, a type of rapid heart rate originating in the atria.

Cardiac Measurement Terms

Axis denotes the direction of the electrical vector for cardiac activity.
The PR interval measures time from the beginning of the P wave to the R wave.
The QRS interval captures the time from the start of the Q wave to the end of the S wave.
The QT interval measures time from the Q wave's start to the T wave's beginning.

Electrical Activity Blocks

Complete heart block signifies a disruption in electrical activity at the AV node, leading to independent contractions of atria and ventricles.
1-degree AVB refers to First Degree AV Block, an indication of delayed conduction in the heart.

Contraction Events

PAC (Premature Atrial Contraction) indicates an early heartbeat originating in the atria.
PVC (Premature Ventricular Contraction) is an early heartbeat from the ventricles.
PAT (Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia) is a sudden increase in heart rate.
PSVT (Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia) is a brief period of increased heart rate originating above the ventricles.

Heart Size and Function Abnormalities

LBBB (Left Bundle Branch Block) and RBBB (Right Bundle Branch Block) refer to blocks in the heart's conduction pathways.
LVH (Left Ventricular Hypertrophy) indicates an increase in muscle mass of the left ventricle.
RAE (Right Atrial Enlargement) and LAE (Left Atrial Enlargement) signify growth in respective atrial chambers.

EKG Changes

Non-specific ST/T changes and acute ST/T changes refer to variations in the ST segment, showing different cardiac conditions.
ST elevation and ST depression are indicators of myocardial ischemia or infarction.
T wave inversion and flattening can suggest ischemia or other cardiac issues.

Lead Configuration

Leads such as inferior leads (II, III, aVF) and lateral leads (I, aVL, V5, V6) are placed on the body to measure heart activity from various angles.
Anterior leads (V3, V4) and septal leads (V1, V2) specifically assess particular regions of the heart.

Cardiac Events

Cardiac arrest denotes the sudden cessation of heart and lung function.
Heart attack occurs when blood flow is obstructed to a portion of the heart muscle.
Asystole indicates complete absence of heart activity, often called "flatlining."

Heart Rate Conditions

Normal heart rate is defined as 60-100 bpm.
Bradycardia indicates a slow heart rate (<60 bpm), while tachycardia refers to an abnormally fast heart rate (>100 bpm).

Other Key Concepts

STEMI refers to ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction, a severe type of heart attack indicating ongoing heart tissue death.
Defibrillation is a lifesaving treatment used to restore normal heart rhythm via electric shock.
Coumadin is often prescribed for blood thinning; its effectiveness is monitored using the INR (usually 2-3).
Cardioverting involves converting a heart rhythm back to normal (sinus rhythm) using medication or electrical shock.

Equipment and Procedures

An EKG (electrocardiogram) measures electrical activity during a heartbeat via electrodes placed on the chest, arms, and legs.
The graphic representation from an electrocardiogram illustrates the heart's electrical activity and rhythm.

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Description

Test your knowledge of EKG abbreviations with this set of flashcards. Each card features a common abbreviation along with its full meaning and definition, designed to enhance your understanding of cardiac rhythms. Perfect for medical students and those studying cardiovascular health.