LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. 1 list and describe the purpose of patient monitoring

2. 2 list and describe the characteristics of the ECG electrical waveform

3. 3 describe cardiac events such as MI and PVC

4. 4 list and describe the differences between the 3-lead and 12-lead ECG

5. 5 list and describe the many names for the technique of blood oxygen saturation measurement

6. 6 describe the reasons that pulse oximetry monitoring is commonly used

7. 7 describe how pulse oximetry works

Introduction

The beat of the heart, including the electrical signal transmitted to create the beat, is one of the most familiar waveforms found in health care. It deserves this status. The electrical activity of the heart is fairly simple to measure and tells a great deal about the health of the patient. In the very early 1900s, Willem Einthoven won the Nobel Prize in medicine for his work identifying and recording the parts of the electrocardiogram.

Patient monitoring

Monitoring a patient's heart is a very common procedure. A patient's vital signs are often tracked at regular time intervals or continuously (these are usually blood pressure and pulse – both related to heart function). Technology can be used to track the patient's condition without someone standing next to the bedside. In addition to tracking the condition of a patient continuously, monitoring can provide diagnostic information upon which treatment decisions are based. Vital signs such as blood pressure and respiration are discussed in their respective chapters.