ACLS Rhythm Interpretation
ACLS EKG Rhythms and Interpretation
Each link below will take you to a page for the Respective ACLS EKG. These pages cover all of the basic ACLS EKG’s from Ventricular Fibrillation to Complete Heart Block. After each article is a short video that simulates the ACLS EKG on a defibrillator monitor.
Pulseless Rhythms
Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia Ventricular Fibrillation
Pulseless Electrical Activity Asystole
Bradyarrhythmias
First Degree AV Block Second Degree AV Block (Type 1)
Second Degree AV Block (Type 2) Complete Heart Block
I shadowed a cardiac floor for 2 days and i’m confused about a few things that the other nurses couldn’t really explain to me:
In some of the 5 lead rythmn strips, the complexts were facing downward, or, inverted. The nurse said the only reason for this was because of the lead we were looking at. I don’t understand why a lead would look like this.
And then at one point, a patient’s alarm was going off that they were in VTach. But the nurse said, “Oh, it’s not real VTach and cleared the alarms” she didn’t explain how she knew this by simply looking at the monitor. Please help me understand.
It sounds like you did not have a very good preceptor. He/She should have explained things to you as you shadowed them throughout the shift.
Your first question about “downward facing or inverted” QRS complexes: There are several reasons why you would see downward deflection on an ECG monitor. You were probably looking at Lead I, II, III, aVL, aVF, aVR. In a normal ECG, lead aVR is the only limb lead with a downwardly deflected QRS. The tracing of lead that is seen on the monitor or a rhythm strip is a representation of the movement of electricity through the heart. For a through understanding how an ECG works watch this.
As far at the nurse clearing the alarm when it alarmed “VTach.” It was most likely artifact that was being picked up from patient movement. When a person who is being monitored moves around more than a little this can significantly impact the way that the monitor is reads the patient’s heart. This can show up as wide and strange looking tracings which the monitor recognizes most of the time as ventricular tachycardia. Too bad the nursing did not take the time to tell you these things. Sorry for the bad experience. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from someone who will actually help.
Kind regards,
Jeff
I just wanted to say that this is an excellent site/resource for ACLS training. I’m trying to brush up before my course and this site has provided me with literally everything that I need. Thank you very much!
this site is very usefull for me
Why is the ACLS test,course and instruction so hard to get done?
If this is your first time taking ACLS, it can be a little overwhelming. Use the checklist in the “download library” to make sure you cover everything. Also watch the video on the home page to see how to best utilize your time.
Kind regards,
Jeff