The nurse is caring for a patient who has had an ECG. The nurse notes that leads I, II, and III differ from one another on the cardiac rhythm strip. How should the nurse best respond?

A) Recognize that the view of the electrical current changes in relation to the lead placement.
B) Recognize that the electrophysiological conduction of the heart differs with lead placement.
C) Inform the technician that the ECG equipment has malfunctioned.
D) Inform the physician that the patient is experiencing a new onset of dysrhythmia.


Ans: A
Feedback:
Each lead offers a different reference point to view the electrical activity of the heart. The lead displays the configuration of electrical activity of the heart. Differences between leads are not necessarily attributable to equipment malfunction or dysrhythmias.

Nursing

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