How To Read An EKG

Introduction

A five step method will be used for reading an ekg rhythm strip. Follow each step in order:

• Rhythm Regularity
• Heart Rate
• P wave morphology
• PR interval or PRi
• QRS complex duration and morphology

Step 1

Heart Rhythm Regularity

• Carefully measure from the tip of one R wave to the next, from the beginning to the end of the tracing.
• A rhythm is “regular or constant” when the distance apart is either the same or varies by 1 ½ small boxes or less from one R wave to the next R wave.

Step 2

Heart Rate Regular (Constant) Rhythms

• We will use the 1500 heart rate determination technique.
• Starting at the beginning of the tracing through the end, measure from one R wave to the next R wave (ventricular assessment), then P wave to P wave (atrial assessment), then count the number of small boxes between each and divide that number into 1500. This method will provide the most accurate heart rate for regular heart rhythms. You may include ½ of a small box i.e. 1500/37.5 = 40 bpm (don’t forget to round up or down if a portion of a beat is included in the answer).

Step 2 (Cont.)

Heart Rate - Irregular Rhythms

• If the rhythm varies by two small boxes or more, the rhythm is considered “irregular”.
• The heart rate determination technique used for irregular rhythms will be the “six-second technique”.
• Simply count the number of cardiac complexes in six seconds and multiply by ten.

Step 3

P wave Morphology (shape)

• The lead most commonly referenced in cardiac monitoring is lead II.
• In this training module, lead two will be specifically referenced unless otherwise specified.
• The P wave in lead II in a normal heart is typically rounded and upright in appearance.
• Changes in shape must be reported. This can be an indicator that the locus of stimulation is changing or the pathway taken is changing.
• P waves may come in a variety of morphologies i.e. rounded and upright, peaked, flattened, notched, biphasic(pictured), inverted and even buried or absent!
• Remember to describe the shape. This can be very important to the physician when diagnosing the patient.

Step 4

PR interval (PRi)

Constant PR Interval


Variable PR Interval

• Measurement of the PR interval reflects the amount of time from the beginning of atrial depolarization to the beginning of ventricular depolarization.
• Plainly stated, this measurement is from the beginning of the P wave to the beginning of the QRS complex.
• The normal range for PR interval is: 0.12 – 0.20 seconds (3 to 5 small boxes)
• It is important that you measure each PR interval on the rhythm strip.
• Some tracings do not have the same PRi measurement from one cardiac complex to the next. Sometimes there is a prolonging pattern, sometimes not.
• If the PR intervals are variable, report them as variable, but note if a pattern is present or not.

Step 5

QRS complex

• QRS represents ventricular depolarization.
• It is very important to analyze each QRS complex on the tracing and report the duration measurement and describe the shape (including any changes in shape).
• As discussed in step 3, when referring to P waves, remember changes in the shape of the waveform can indicate the locus of stimulation has changed or a different conduction pathway was followed. It is no different when analyzing the QRS complex. The difference is that in step 3, we were looking at atrial activity. Now we are looking at ventricular activity.
• Measure from the beginning to the end of ventricular depolarization.
• The normal duration of the QRS complex is: 0.06 – 0.10 second