What it means
A client on telemetry wears chest electrodes connected to a small box that sends the heart's electrical activity wirelessly to monitors watched by nurses or technicians. It lets clients move about while their heart rhythm is watched. A telemetry unit cares for clients who need this monitoring, such as after a heart attack, with chest pain being checked out, or starting some heart drugs.
For the nurse
Check that the electrodes are in the right places and stick well, change batteries as needed and confirm the client's name on the central monitor. Always check the client before treating an alarm: a loose lead can look like a dangerous rhythm.
At a glance
| Spanish | telemetría |
|---|---|
| Also written | cardiac telemetry, telemetry monitoring, telemetry unit |
Related terms
arrhythmia
A heart rhythm that is not normal: too fast, too slow or irregular.
electrocardiogram
A test that records the heart's electrical activity as waves on paper or a screen.
cardiology
The branch of medicine that studies and treats the heart and blood vessels.
pacemaker
A small device that sends electrical pulses to the heart to keep it beating at a set rate; also the heart's own natural rhythm center.