MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION - SNAP SHOT

Updated 12/25          Dearnurses.com is no longer available.

The 12 lead EKG is done to analyze a myocardial
infarction's location. The electrical activity of the
heart is taken from 12 different angles, just like a
camera taking a picture from different views. 

Dear nurses,

New topics and links have been added below.

The 12 lead EKG is done to analyze a myocardial
infarction's location. The electrical activity of the
heart is taken from 12 different angles, just like a
camera taking a picture from different views. 

Scenario: Mrs. R is a 48 year-old female who has a history
of a previous myocardial infarction. She was admitted 2 days
 ago with mild chest pain. She was resting comfortably when
she suddenly started feeling short of breath. She is anxious 
and calls the nurse.

What actions did the nurse take?
The nurse reassures Mrs. R. She does an assessment, vital signs
, and oxygen saturation. She gives oxygen per protocol.

-The nurse notifies the doctor of what has occurred and her
assessment findings. She also mentions the vital signs, low
oxygen saturation, and steps that were taken to correct the
saturation. The doctor gives further orders, including a
transfer to CCU.

Why chest pain assessment?
It must be remembered that a patient with heart damage
 will also experience chest pain. Assessment of the pain
should also be included. This may be sharp, with radiation
 to the shoulder/jaw, or it may feel like chest pressure.

Helpful Hint:
Chest pain should always be assessed.
 Enjoy learning more about this topic by clicking on the link:
Simplifying Cardiogenic Shock

How do you read an EKG?

P wave = atrial contraction
QRS waves = ventricular contraction
T wave = resting time before the next contraction

 Learn more about this topic by watching the video:

The new nurse - Easy read EKG

Hemodynamics refers to blood flow. The heart is a pump,
which pumps blood around the body. If there is damage, 
like a myocardial infarction, the heart's function will be 

impaired. 

Learn more about: Congestive heart failure

A patient who has a straight line on the monitor,

requires immediate intervention. The nurse should
check the patient to make sure an electrode is not 
disconnected. 

If there is no disconnection, the patient may have 
gone into Cardiopulmonary arrest. This calls for 
CPR.

A Cardiopulmonary arrest is called a Code Blue.
This means the heart has stopped beating and the
body's cells are deprived of blood supply and oxygen.

Immediate action is taken by the staff , to call a Code
Blue overhead. This summons trained personnel to
that patient's bedside.