Performing an ECG on a Teenage Girl

Summary

In this video, a healthcare professional, Denise, guides a patient named Shawn through the process of an electrocardiogram (EKG). She explains the procedure, which involves placing electrodes on the patient's chest and legs, prepping the skin with alcohol, and then connecting the leads to record the heartbeat. Denise reassures Shawn that the procedure is painless and simple, providing clear instructions along the way. Once the EKG is complete, the results will be shown to the physician. The video emphasizes a smooth, calm experience for the patient during the procedure.

Takeaways

• 😀 The interaction begins with a friendly greeting between Denise and Shawn.
• 😀 Denise introduces herself and explains that she will perform an electrocardiogram (EKG) on Shawn.
• 😀 Denise clarifies that the EKG is a procedure to record the heartbeat and ensures Shawn has no questions before starting.
• 😀 Shawn asks if the procedure hurts, and Denise reassures him that it does not.
• 😀 Denise explains the procedure involves placing stickers (electrodes) on Shawn's chest and connecting them to wires.
• 😀 Denise prepares Shawn's skin with alcohol before attaching the electrodes.
• 😀 Denise ensures Shawn is comfortable with the process, asking him to lie down and relax his arms.
• 😀 Denise asks Shawn to remove his cell phone from his pocket to avoid interference with the procedure.
• 😀 The electrodes are applied to various areas of Shawn's body, including the chest, collarbone, and ankles.
• 😀 After the electrodes are attached, Denise runs the EKG and reassures Shawn that nothing will hurt during the process.
• 😀 Once the EKG is completed, Denise informs Shawn that the results will be shown to his physician, and she unhooks the electrodes.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the electrocardiogram (EKG) in this procedure?

The purpose of the electrocardiogram (EKG) is to record the patient's heartbeat in order to assess their heart's electrical activity.

Does the electrocardiogram procedure hurt?

No, the electrocardiogram does not hurt. The patient will not feel any discomfort during the procedure.

What preparation is required before applying the electrodes?

The healthcare professional first prepares the patient's skin with a small amount of alcohol to ensure proper adhesion of the electrodes.

What are the electrodes used for in the electrocardiogram?

The electrodes, also referred to as 'stickers', are used to record the electrical signals from the heart by being placed on specific locations of the patient's body.

Where are the electrodes placed during the procedure?

The electrodes are placed on the patient's chest, legs, and arms. The healthcare professional carefully selects the appropriate spots based on anatomical landmarks such as the collarbone and ribs.

Why does the healthcare professional ask the patient to remove their phone from their pocket?

The phone is removed to prevent interference with the electrocardiogram procedure, as electronic devices can affect the quality of the EKG readings.

What happens after the electrodes are applied to the patient?

After the electrodes are applied, the healthcare professional runs the electrocardiogram. The procedure is painless and involves no sensation for the patient.

How does the healthcare professional ensure the electrodes are placed correctly?

The healthcare professional checks anatomical landmarks, such as the patient's ribs and collarbone, to ensure the electrodes are positioned accurately for proper readings.

What does the healthcare professional do after completing the electrocardiogram?

Once the electrocardiogram is completed, the healthcare professional will unhook the leads from the patient and show the results to the physician for further analysis.

What is the role of Denise in the procedure?

Denise is the healthcare professional performing the electrocardiogram. She explains the procedure, ensures the patient is comfortable, applies the electrodes, and runs the EKG.