Page 48 - AACN Essentials of Critical-Care Nursing Pocket Handbook, Second Edition
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                Evidence-Based Practice: Bedside Cardiac Monitoring for Arrhythmia Detection
                        Set alarm limits on other parameters if using a computerized arrhythmia monitoring system.
                     Set heart rate alarms as appropriate for patient’s current heart rate and clinical condition.


                      Never turn heart rate alarms off while patient’s rhythm is being monitored.





                            Document the monitoring lead on every rhythm strip. Document heart rate, PR interval, QRS width, QT interval with every shift and with any Document rhythm strip with every significant rhythm change: Onset and termination of tachycardias.













                   Alarm Limits  •  •  •  Documentation  •  • significant rhythm change.  •  –  –  –  –  •  Transporting Monitored Patients  •  • Compiled from Jacobson (2010); Drew, Califf, Funk, et al (2004); and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurse (2







                     Make sure skin is clean and dry before applying Place arm electrodes on shoulder (front, top, or back) as close as possible to where arm joins Place leg electrodes below the rib cage or on hips. Place V 1 electrode at the fourth intercostal sp







                   Electrode Application  monitoring electrodes.  at right sternal border.  left midaxillary line.  skin irritation occurs.  lead whenever possible.

                                             Lead Selection
                3.10  •  •  torso.  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •
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