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Electrocardiograph |
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1. Place patient in a relaxed position and reassure.
2. Attach the limb leads to hairless distal aspects of the limbs, ensuring a good electrical contact with gel or adhesive pads. These leads are usually colour coded: ¨ RA—Right arm RED ¨ LA—Left arm YELLOW ¨ LF-Left foot GREEN ¨ RF—Right foot BLACK (Ride Your Green Bike)
3. Attach the chest leads as follows: ¨ V1 Right sternal edge, 4th intercostal space ¨ V2 Left sternal edge, 4th intercostal space ¨ V3 Half way between V2 and V4 ¨ V4 Mid clavicular line, 5th intercostal space All subsequent leads are at the same horizontal level as the V4 lead ¨ V5 Anterior axillary line ¨ V6 Mid axillary line As a guide, the second intercostal space is just below the sternal angle. V4 should correspond to the apex beat of the heart.
4. Most ECG machines are fully automated and will add a rhythm strip to the tracing. Ask the patient to remain perfectly still during the recording and do not touch the leads or patient during this time.
5. Immediately add the date, time and patient identification to the tracing. |
