Performing 12-Lead ECGs

Equipment and Preparation - Performing 12-Lead ECGs

Equipment

Prior to starting work every day you should check your EKG machine to ensure the machine is working properly (turn it on and make sure there aren’t any issues with error codes etc.), inspect the cables for damage and clips for gel buildup.

Supplies

Finally, check to be sure it is well stocked to include:

Electrodes (sensors)
Gauze and skin prep solution (as approved by your facility)
Razor or clippers and a roll of tape (for hair removal)
Skin adhesive and or antiperspirant
EKG Paper (if your machine is required to provide a hard-copy)

Preparation

Make sure the gain & paper speed is set as ordered by the physician (standard gain - 10mm/mV & standard speed - 25mm/sec)
An image like this indicating paper speed and gain should be seen on your 12-Lead EKG print out

If your protocols are different, always follow them.

Authors and Sources

Authors and Reviewers

EKG heart rhythm modules: Thomas O'Brien.
EKG monitor simulation developer: Steve Collmann
12 Lead Course: Dr. Michael Mazzini, MD.
Spanish language EKG: Breena R. Taira, MD, MPH
Medical review: Dr. Jonathan Keroes, MD
Medical review: Dr. Pedro Azevedo, MD, Cardiology
Last Update: 11/8/2021

Sources

Electrocardiography for Healthcare Professionals, 6th Edition Kathryn Booth and Thomas O'Brien
ISBN10: 1265013470, ISBN13: 9781265013479
McGraw Hill, 2023
Rapid Interpretation of EKG's, Sixth Edition
Dale Dublin
Cover Publishing Company
EKG Reference Guide
EKG.Academy
12 Lead EKG for Nurses: Simple Steps to Interpret Rhythms, Arrhythmias, Blocks, Hypertrophy, Infarcts, & Cardiac Drugs
Aaron Reed
Create Space Independent Publishing
Heart Sounds and Murmurs: A Practical Guide with Audio CD-ROM 3rd Edition
Elsevier-Health Sciences Division
Barbara A. Erickson, PhD, RN, CCRN
The Virtual Cardiac Patient: A Multimedia Guide to Heart Sounds, Murmurs, EKG Jonathan Keroes, David Lieberman
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkin)
ISBN-10: 0781784425; ISBN-13: 978-0781784429
Project Semilla, UCLA Emergency Medicine, EKG Training Breena R. Taira, MD, MPH
ECG Reference Guide
PracticalClinicalSkills.com