Module 2: Reading a 12-lead ECG
By the end of this module you can identify the rate, rhythm and axis on a 12-lead ECG, and say which of the three needs a second opinion before you act on it.
Watch first
Fifteen minutes, then come back. Watch for how the presenter counts the rate before looking at anything else.
Read
- Chapter 4 of the course pack, pages 61 to 78.
- The rhythm strip worksheet, which you will need for the discussion.
An ECG is a snapshot of a moving thing. A normal trace on an unwell patient is a normal trace, not a well patient.
Practise
Work through the six strips in the worksheet. For each one write the rate, the rhythm and whether the axis is normal, then check yourself against the key on the last page. Do all six before reading the key.
| Field | What counts as an answer |
|---|---|
| Rate | A number in beats per minute, not "fast" or "slow". |
| Rhythm | Named, and whether it is regular. |
| Axis | Normal, left, right, or indeterminate. |
Complete when you can
- Calculate a rate from a strip in under ten seconds.
- Name a rhythm without looking it up.
- Say which findings need a second opinion before you act.