Electrocardiography and EKG

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of electrocardiography?

To record the heart's electrical activity (correct)

To measure blood pressure

To assess lung function

To monitor oxygen levels in the blood

Which device is capable of recording an ECG, according to the text?

Thermometer

Smartwatch (correct)

Pulse oximeter

Blood glucose monitor

What does ECG stand for?

Electrocardiograph

Electrocardiogram (correct)

Electrocardiology

Electrocardiovascular

In a conventional 12-lead ECG, where are the electrodes placed?

On the patient's limbs and chest Signup and view all the answers

What do the electrodes in electrocardiography detect?

Small electrical changes due to cardiac muscle activity Signup and view all the answers

When discussing ECG, what does 'ECG' usually refer to?

12-lead ECG taken while lying down Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of an ECG?

Assessing heart structure and electrical function Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main components of an ECG?

Atrial depolarization, ventricular depolarization, ventricular repolarization Signup and view all the answers

What follows an orderly pattern starting from the sinoatrial node and spreading throughout the heart?

Electrical depolarization Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a medical indication for an ECG?

Low risk of cardiovascular disease Signup and view all the answers

What type of patients is continuous ECG monitoring used for?

Critically ill patients and those undergoing anesthesia Signup and view all the answers

Why is screening with an ECG not recommended for adults without symptoms or at low risk of cardiovascular disease?

Risk of false positives Signup and view all the answers

What do ECG machines consist of?

Set of electrodes connected to a central unit Signup and view all the answers

How did early ECG machines print signals?

On paper using an electric motor Signup and view all the answers

What do modern ECG machines use to print signals?

Analog-to-digital converters Signup and view all the answers

What safety features do ECG machines include?

Low voltage circuitry Signup and view all the answers

What type of devices can record single lead I ECGs?

Fitness trackers and smartwatches Signup and view all the answers

What is the power source for portable twelve-lead devices?

Batteries Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Holter monitor?

To record ECG signals using electrodes with patches on the skin Signup and view all the answers

Which device is capable of measuring a 'far field' signal between the leads in the heart and the implanted battery/generator?

Artificial cardiac pacemaker Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Wilson's central terminal (WCT)?

To define the potential measured by three limb electrodes attached to the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between limb, augmented limb, and precordial leads in an ECG?

Type of electrical potential difference measured Signup and view all the answers

What is technically incorrect but sometimes used in medical settings to refer to the electrodes?

Leads Signup and view all the answers

Which device is capable of recording an ECG signal without the need for wires?

Zio XT Signup and view all the answers

What is developed by Zio, TZ Medical, Philips, and BardyDx to stick to the chest as a single patch without need for wires?

'Zio XT' Signup and view all the answers

'Electrodes' are best described as:

Conductive pads attached to body surface Signup and view all the answers

'Leads' in ECG can be formed between:

'Physical electrode and a virtual electrode' Signup and view all the answers

'Artificial cardiac pacemaker' and 'implantable cardioverter-defibrillator' are capable of measuring:

'Far field' signal between the leads in the heart and the implanted battery/generator Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

An ECG is a test used to measure the electrical activity of the heart, recorded from twelve different angles (leads) over a period of time.
The three main components of an ECG are the P wave (atrial depolarization), QRS complex (ventricular depolarization), and T wave (ventricular repolarization).
The heart's electrical depolarization follows an orderly pattern starting from the sinoatrial node and spreading throughout the heart.
An ECG is used to assess the heart's structure and electrical function, providing information about heart rate and rhythm, chamber size, damage to muscle cells or conduction system, drug effects, and pacemaker function.
Medical indications for an ECG include chest pain, shortness of breath, arrhythmias, medication monitoring, electrolyte abnormalities, perioperative monitoring, stress testing, CTA and MRA, and clinical cardiac electrophysiology.
Continuous ECG monitoring is used for critically ill patients, those undergoing anesthesia, and those with infrequent arrhythmias.
Screening with an ECG is not recommended for adults without symptoms or at low risk of cardiovascular disease due to the risk of false positives.
ECG machines consist of a set of electrodes connected to a central unit, which can be analog or digital.
Early ECG machines printed signals on paper using an electric motor.
Modern ECG machines use analog-to-digital converters and include features like portability, simultaneous lead recordings, and automated interpretation.
Safety features of ECG machines include defibrillation protection, electrostatic discharge protection, and low voltage circuitry.
Small devices like fitness trackers and smartwatches can record single lead I ECGs.
Portable twelve-lead devices powered by batteries are also available.
Recording an ECG is a painless procedure.
Modern ECG machines include automated interpretation algorithms to analyze the ECG trace for various features.

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Description

Test your knowledge about electrocardiography (ECG or EKG) and learn more about the process of producing an electrocardiogram, which is a recording of the heart's electrical activity through repeated cardiac cycles.