Monitoring EKGAn electrocardiogram, or EKG, is a graphical recording of the electrical events occurring within the heart. A typical EKG tracing consists of five identifiable deflections. Each deflection is noted by one of the letters P, Q, R, S, or T. The P wave is the first waveform in a tracing and represents the depolarization of the heart’s atria. The next waveform is a complex and consists of the Q, R, and S deflection.
The QRS complex represents the depolarization of the heart’s ventricles. The deflection that represents the repolarization of the atria is usually undetectable because of the intensity of the QRS waveform. The final waveform is the T wave and it represents the repolarization of the ventricles.Because an EKG is a recording of the heart’s electrical events, it is valuable in diagnosing diseases or ailments that damage the conductive abilities of the heart muscle. When cardiac muscle cells are damaged or destroyed, they are no longer able to conduct the electrical impulses that flow through them. This causes the electrical signal to terminate at the damaged tissue or directed away from the signal flow. The termination or redirection of the electrical signal will alter the manner in which the heart contracts.
A cardiologist can look at a patient’s electrocardiogram and determine the presence of damaged cardiac muscle based on the waveform as well as the time interval between electrical events.In this activity, you will use the EKG sensor to make a five-second graphical recording of your heart’s electrical events. From this recording, you will identify the previously mentioned waveform components and determine the time intervals associated with each.
