7.1 Introduction
Learning Objectives
- Describe cardiac anatomy and physiology
- Apply leads for electrocardiograms (ECGs) and cardiac monitoring
- Identify basic cardiac rhythms
- Outline nursing interventions in response to the identified cardiac rhythm
Nurses assist with obtaining electrocardiograms (ECGs) and implementing cardiac monitoring to analyze the electrical activity of a client’s heart. They must be able to interpret abnormal cardiac rhythms and quickly address them or obtain emergency assistance. This chapter will review the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system and the electrical conduction system and then introduce the skills of obtaining an ECG and interpreting basic electrocardiogram patterns.