1 st step scenarios Begin

Patient is a 35 y.o. African American male who presents with complaints of jaw pain. He has a history of hypertension and is on medication, which he forgot to take this morning. You need to do an EKG on him. What do you do first? Back Answer

This patient has an obvious anxiety towards medical treatment yet was in severe enough discomfort to seek treatment. You need to acknowledge that he is nervous and then explain everything you are doing. You will have no problem obtaining the EKG. Back Next

Back Answer This 55 y.o. Caucasian male was brought in by ambulance from the local beach. He is complaining that there is an elephant sitting on his chest. He is a diabetic and diaphoretic. You have to do an EKG. What do you do first?

Back Next You must clean and shave his chest first. It is probable that he has suntan lotion and has been sweating which will impair lead adherence to the chest. His copious chest hair will also cause the leads not to adhere to the chest.