Medical-surgical Nursing Demystified

(^72) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified
WHAT TO DO?
Typically a technician will perform the electrocardiograph and a physician or a
nurse with advanced training will interpret the results of the test.
The nurse should be able to recognize a normal sinus rhythm and abnormal
rhythms that are life-threatening such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular
fibrillation. The nurse should be able to reattach electrodes.
Teach the patient the following:

• The patient will not experience an electrical shock.


• The patient must lie still for several minutes if the electrocardiograph is done
  during a physical or assessment.


• The patient can move about if the electrocardiograph of the patient is ambu-
  latory or if the patient is an inpatient during monitoring.


• If ambulatory, the patient should keep an activity diary of his or her symptoms.


• If ambulatory, the patient should not operate machinery, including microwave
  ovens and electric shavers, nor should he or she bathe or shower while
  attached to the electrocardiograph.


• If it is a stress test, the patient should wear appropriate attire for exercise and
  report any discomfort during the test so proper assessment can be completed
  to determine the etiology of the discomfort.

Cardiac Catheterization (Angiography)

WHY IS IT GIVEN?

This is an invasive procedure used to examine the coronary arteries and intra-

cardiac structures, as well as to measure cardiac output, intracardiac pressures, and

oxygenation

HOW DOES THE TEST WORK?

A radiopaque dye, which makes structures visible on x-rays, is injected through

a catheter into the femoral artery in the patient’s left leg or in the antecubital

fossa,which is the crease of the arm); it then flows to the coronary arteries. The

flow of the radiopaque dye is viewed and recorded using a fluoroscope, enabling

the physician to determine obstructions to the flow and the structures of the

heart.