3. Cardiac monitoring in a critic care unit is
of great importance because it permits
immediate recognition of disturbance in n
the rate and rhythm of the heart .
Instant recognition of lethal( fatal )
arrhythmias and immediate resuscitation
makes it possible nto save lives of many.
It generally refers to continuous or
intermittent monitoring of heart activity.
5. Cardiac monitoring generally
refers to continuous or
intermittent monitoring bod
heart activity to assess a
patient’s condition relative to
their cardiac rhythm.
7. Continuous display of ECG
Monitor Cardiac Output
Monitor arterial blood oxygen
saturation
Monitor Blood Pressure
Early recognition of potentially
fatal dysrhythmias allows for
prompt interventions that may
save lives.
9. These are usually mounted on the
wall behind the patient’s bed .
Screen can be easily seen by the
nursing personnel but not by
patient.
It consists of :
• Eletrodes
•Bedside monitor
•Connecting Cables
10. Main features of the system :
•Main Cable
•Patient Cable
•Electrodes
14. Some monitors are combined
with a defibrillator to deliver
a D.C. Shock. In Cardiac
emergency it is usually a
feature of portable
defibrillator system which
also induces an ECG
recorder.
16. May be placed on the chest or
limbs most common electrode
placement on chest .
However, the placement of the
electrodes on the limbs hampers
the movement of the patient and
produces constant artifacts.
19. Problems may arise with faults in the
equipment, placement of electrodes
, defects in the monitoring technique
and changing condition of the
patient.
Always correlate the patient’s
condition with the ECG changes i.e.,
check the general condition of the
patient whenever ECG reflects a
change in the tracing.
20. Following problems can occur :
Wave from interference
Straight Baseline
Wandering Baseline
Alarm sound and no evidence of
arrhythmia
Skin excoriation under the
electrodes.
22. Explain the procedure to patient
and reassure him before the
cardiac monitoring begins.
Prepare the skin area of the
electrodes placement .
Check the monitor for it’s good
functionin, before it is used on
patient.
23. Apply electrode jelly in sufficient
amount to have good contact
between skin and electrodes.
The limits of the high and low rate
alarms must be adjusted to the
conditions of the patient.
Inspect the area of electrode
placement daily for any skin
excoriation.
24. Have a constant watch over the
cardiac monitor in order to det
ct lethal arthymias at the
earliest.
26. Put off the monitor
temporarily to show that the
patient is not dependent on
monitor.
Teach patient how pulse can
be felt so that the patient can
be assured of the heart beat
in absence of monitoring.
27. Keep the patient for a day in
ICU after weaning from
monitor. This makes the patient
less anxious to have his transfer
out of ICU. This also permits
the nurse on opportunity to
observe the patient when he is
not on the monitor.