1. Chapter 3 Analyzing EKG Rhythm Strips
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

2. To analyze EKG rhythm strip:
Use organized format to collect available clues
Compare information collected to rules for each arrhythmia
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

3. Calculating Heart Rate – Regular Rhythms
Count number of large squares between two R waves and divide into 300, or
Count number of small squares between two R waves and divide into 1500
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

4. Calculating Heart Rate – Using Heart Rate Meter
Place arrow above one R wave; read rate at next R wave
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

5. Calculating Heart Rate
Number of large squares between two R waves
Subsequent rate per minute 1
300 2
150 3
100 4 75 5 60 6 50
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

6. Calculating Heart Rate – Regular or Irregular Rhythms
Count number of R waves in a 6-second strip and multiply by 10
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

7. Rhythm Strip Analysis Format
Regularity (Rhythm)
Rate
P Waves
PR Intervals
QRS Complexes
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

8. Regularity (Rhythm) Is it regular? Is it irregular?
Are there any patterns to the irregularity?
Are there any ectopic beats; if so, are they early or late?
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

9. P Waves Are P waves regular? Is there one P wave for every QRS?
Is P wave in front of QRS or behind it?
Is P wave normal and upright in Lead II?
Are there more P waves than QRS complexes?
Do all P waves look alike?
Are irregular P waves associated with ectopic beats?
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

10. PR Interval Are all PRIs constant?
Is PRI measurement within normal range?
If PRI varies, is there a pattern to changing measurements?
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

11. QRS Complex Are all QRS complexes of equal duration?
What is the measurement of QRS complex?
Is QRS measurement within normal limits?
Do all QRS complexes look alike?
Are unusual QRS complexes associated with ectopic beats?
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

12. Chapter 3 Practice Strips
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

13. 3.1
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

14. 3.2
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

15. 3.3
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

16. 3.4
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

17. 3.5
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

18. 3.6
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

19. 3.7
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

20. 3.8
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

21. 3.9
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

22. 3.10
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

23. 3.11
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

24. 3.12
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

25. 3.13
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

26. 3.14
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

27. 3.15
Gail Walraven, Basic Arrhythmias, Sixth Edition ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ