What it means
Electrodes stuck to the skin pick up the heart's electrical signals and send them to a bedside screen or, by wireless telemetry, to a central station. The monitor shows the rhythm and heart rate and sounds an alarm for dangerous changes. It is used for clients with heart problems, electrolyte imbalances, after some procedures, and in critical care.
For the nurse
Place electrodes in the right positions on clean, dry skin, and set alarm limits as ordered. When an alarm sounds, look at the client first: loose leads and movement can look like a dangerous rhythm.
At a glance
| Also written | cardiac monitoring |
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Related terms
electrocardiogram
A test that records the heart's electrical activity as waves on paper or a screen.
dysrhythmia
A heart rhythm that is not normal: too fast, too slow or irregular.
normal sinus rhythm
The heart's normal rhythm, started by the sinoatrial (SA) node, regular and at 60 to 100 beats a minute in adults.