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Course/Program Inventory

PCT 2010 - Electrocardiography


Clock Hours: 125

Delivery Mode
on-ground

Course Description:
This course prepares a person for gainful employment in a health care setting.  The education shall be in an organized program with planned learning experiences in a logical sequence.   Both theory and clinical will enable the learner to obtain knowledge, skills, and attitude to function within the defined job scope of the electrocardiography technician.  Broad areas of learning shall include:  communication skills, logic and ethics, basic anatomy and physiology, phlebotomy and other specimen collection skills, specimen processing and record keeping skills.  The graduate is prepared to complete the certification exam.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Course Objectives:     

Upon completion of this course, the student shall be able to identify the anatomy of the heart, the process of electrical conduction, along with identifying various rhythms and successfully and safely perform a 12 lead EKG:

  1. Describe the anatomy, size, location, and cardiac cycle of the heart.
    1. Identify layers of the heart
    2. Describe structure and function of blood vessels, veins, and arteries
    3. Explain pulmonary circulation, and concept of systemic circulation
    4. Explain the process of stroke volume
    5. Explain cardiac preload and after load, and define systolic and diastolic
    6. Identify the major electrolytes that affect cardiac function, and the process of the movement of ions
    7. Explain the process of depolarization, repolarization, and the refractory periods
  2. Identify the normal path of an impulse traveling through the electrical conduction system
    1. Identify the nodal pathway and their intrinsic firing rates
  3. Identify and explain the components of an EKG machine.
    1. Recognize power and energy sources
    2. Explain input of patient data
    3. Describe types and application of leads
    4. Basic operation and maintenance of machine
  4. Describe and identify various EKG wave forms, and the basic approach of interpreting EKG strips
    1. Identify and measure the following waves forms:  P wave, PR interval, QRS complex, ST segment, T wave, U wave.
    2. Apply multi-step approaches to interpretation
    3. Explain and calculate heart rate in a 6 second strip
    4. Identify and name causes of artifact
    5. Identify the markings and measurement of the graph paper
  5. Identify the origin and be able to identify various rhythms
    1. Sinus rhythms:  normal. bradycardia, tachycardia, sinus arrest, and sinus dysrhythmia
    2. Atrial rhythms:  atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, premature atrial contraction, wandering atrial pacemaker
    3. Ventricular rhythms including:  Premature ventricular contractions, Idioventricular rhythms, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular bradycardia, ventricular fibrillation, Torsade’s de Points, and Asystole
    4. Discuss and identify a First degree Block, Second degree Type I (Wenckebach), Second Degree AV block Mobitz type II and a Third Degree AV block

Lab Competencies:  The student must successfully perform a return demonstration of skills, receiving a satisfactory evaluation for progression.

Suggested Competencies:

  1. Prepare and identify patient
  2. Provide privacy
  3. Confirm physician’s order
  4. Perform proper placement of leads
  5. Input required patient data
  6. Performance of electrocardiogram
  7. Upon completion of testing, take electrocardiogram findings to designated personnel for interpretation