EKGs for the Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant, Second Edition

Delivering succinct, clear explanations to help students easily grasp key concepts, this book provides a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to EKG interpretation for nurse practitioner and physician assistant students, as well as practicing clinicians who need a quick refresher.

The second edition retains the book’s systematic, physiologic approach that trains readers to follow the same steps in evaluating each EKG. It negates the need for rote memorization by facilitating a genuine understanding of EKG interpretation. Using the patient’s presenting symptoms as a starting point, abundant clinical scenarios demonstrate real-life applications for interpreting EKG readings. With scores of figures and tables and more than 200 EKG tracings, this resource delivers everything physician assistants and nurse practitioners need to provide expert, quality care to their patients.

New to the Second Edition:

• Nearly 50 new EKG tracings and accompanying case studies
• Basic review of clinical conditions related to common EKG abnormalities
• New end-of-chapter review questions to help students summarize their learning
• More complex clinical cases to further challenge the student and increase proficiency in EKG interpretation
• Additional diagnostic findings in atrial enlargement, bundle branch blocks, and ventricular hypertrophy
• Updated chapter contrasting premature ventricular contractions with premature atrial contractions
• PowerPoint supplement of case studies with EKGs and teaching points for instructors

Maureen A. Knechtel, MPAS, PA-C, received a bachelor’s degree in health sciences and a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has spent her clinical career as a physician assistant specializing in general cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology. She teaches EKG recognition and interpretation to both physician assistants and nurse practitioners and has been a guest lecturer nationally and locally on topics including EKG interpretation, chronic angina, ischemic heart disease in women, hypertension, and mixed hyperlipidemia. Ms. Knechtel is a fellow member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistants, and is currently a principal faculty member and assistant professor with the Milligan College Physician Assistant Program in northeast Tennessee.

Contents

Foreword by Theresa M. Campo, DNP, FNP-C, ENP-BC, FAANP

Preface

PART I Basics of Cardiac Physiology and Relationship to the EKG Rhythm Output

1. Introduction to the EKG, Cardiac Anatomy, and Electrical Conduction System

2. Defining the Intervals

3. Lead Review

PART II Interpreting the 12-Lead EKG

4. Rate

5. Rhythm

6. Axis

7. Heart Block

8. Ischemia and Infarction

PART III Commonly Occurring Arrhythmias and EKG Findings

9. Supraventricular Tachycardia

10. Ventricular Arrhythmias

11. Paced EKGs

12. Drug and Electrolyte Effects on the EKG

13. Clinical Conditions That Affect the EKG

PART IV Clinical Application

14. Applying EKG Skills to Clinical Practice

PART V Answer Keys

15. Answers to End-of-Chapter Review Questions

16. Answers and Teaching Points to Chapter 14 EKGs

Index