This comprehensive EKG Recognition Course is designed for healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their skills in interpreting electrocardiograms. From foundational concepts to advanced rhythm recognition, this course covers the essentials of cardiac anatomy, electrical activity, and common arrhythmias. Participants will learn to identify normal and abnormal EKG patterns accurately, understand their clinical significance, and apply this knowledge in real-world scenarios. Through interactive lectures, hands-on practice, and case studies, attendees will gain the confidence and competence to excel in clinical roles. Ideal for nurses, paramedics, and other medical professionals, this course ensures a thorough understanding of EKG interpretation from basic to advanced levels.
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The target audience for the Basic to Advanced EKG Recognition Course includes:
1. Nurses: Especially those working in emergency departments, intensive care units, cardiac care units, and telemetry units who need to interpret EKGs as part of their daily responsibilities.
2. Paramedics and EMTs: These are pre-hospital care providers who need to quickly and accurately recognize cardiac rhythms in emergencies.
3. Medical Students and Residents: Those in training who require a solid foundation in EKG interpretation as part of their medical education.
4. Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners: Advanced practice providers who often interpret EKGs in various clinical settings.
5. Cardiac Technicians are professionals who perform EKGs and need to understand the readings to assist in patient care.
6. Respiratory Therapists: Healthcare providers working closely with cardiac patients need to monitor and interpret EKGs.
7. Other Allied Health Professionals: Including those in roles such as cardiovascular technologists, who benefit from a deeper understanding of EKG interpretation.
This course suits beginners seeking foundational knowledge and experienced practitioners looking to refine their skills.
What Does the EKG Recognition Cover?
- Introduction to EKG
– Basics of cardiac anatomy and physiology
– Understanding the heart’s electrical system
– Components of an EKG waveform
- EKG Equipment and Lead Placement
– Types of EKG machines
– Proper lead placement for accurate readings
– Troubleshooting common EKG recording issues
- Basic EKG Interpretation
– Identifying and interpreting normal sinus rhythm
– Measuring intervals and segments (PR interval, QRS complex, QT interval)
– Recognizing and understanding basic arrhythmias
- Advanced Rhythm Interpretation
– Atrial arrhythmias (e.g., atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter)
– Ventricular arrhythmias (e.g., ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation)
– Heart blocks (first-degree, second-degree, third-degree)
- ST Segment and T Wave Abnormalities
– Identifying ischemia, injury, and infarction
– Understanding ST elevation and depression
– Recognizing abnormal T wave patterns
- Bundle Branch Blocks
– Right bundle branch block (RBBB)
– Left bundle branch block (LBBB)
– Hemiblocks and their clinical significance
- Axis Determination
– Calculating the heart’s electrical axis
– Identifying left and right axis deviations
– Clinical implications of axis changes
- Chamber Enlargement and Hypertrophy
– Identifying signs of atrial enlargement
– Recognizing ventricular hypertrophy patterns
- Electrolyte and Drug Effects on EKG
– Understanding the impact of electrolyte imbalances (potassium, calcium, magnesium)
– Recognizing EKG changes due to common cardiac medications
- Advanced Clinical Scenarios
– Case studies for real-world application
– Simulated EKGs for practice
– Integrating EKG findings with patient assessment and management
- Conclusion and Review
– Summarizing key concepts
– Practice quizzes and interactive review sessions
– Tips for ongoing EKG interpretation skill development
Prerequisites
Basic Medical Knowledge
- A foundational understanding of human anatomy and physiology, particularly cardiac anatomy and function.
Fee
- EKG Course Fee $180
- Ebook Included with Course fee
The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in BLS, ACLS, and PALS and has developed instructional materials for this purpose. Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the American Heart Association. Any fees charged for the course, except for a portion of fees needed for the AHA course materials, do not represent income to the Association.
