How to Hook Up an EKG Machine

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a routine test used to monitor the electrical activity of the heart. Time intervals on an EKG help doctors determine how long an electrical wave takes to travel through the heart's chambers. These results help doctors determine if chambers of the heart are enlarged or overworked. Electrocardiograms are obtained by placing small electrodes on the body to send readings of the heart's electrical activity to the EKG machine. Certain steps are essential for accurate readings, so it's important to properly prepare for EKG testing.

Things You'll Need

• Electrodes
• EKG leads
• Alcohol pads
• Shaving kit

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Instructions

• 1

  Tell the patient to remove his shirt to begin preparation for testing, and have female patients remove their bras to prevent interference with EKG readings. Instruct patients to put the hospital gown on with the front open for easier placement of the EKG electrodes. Help the patient lie down on the examination table and get comfortable.

• 2

  Rub alcohol pads on the patient's skin to remove any perfumes, lotions, oils or powders from the upper chest, legs and arms where electrodes will be placed. Shave or clip areas where hair may prevent electrodes from adhering to the skin. Let rubbed or shaved areas dry.

• 3

  Plug one end of each EKG lead into the front of the EKG machine. Push one EKG electrode patch onto the free end of each EKG lead until it snaps. The leads and electrodes are ready for placement on the body.

• 4

  Look at the label on each lead that identifies where the lead will be placed on the body. Limb leads are labeled for identification, such as "Right arm (RA)," "Left arm (LA)," "Right leg (RL)" and "Left leg (LL)." Chest leads are marked "V1" through "V6" for chest placement.

• 5

  Press the electrodes onto the patient's legs and arms with the adhesive sides facing down. Place electrodes according to the labels on the attached leads. Press each electrode firmly against the skin to eliminate gaps or lifting up from the skin.

• 6

  Press the cardiac electrode with the V1 lead to the patient's right of the sternum (long flat bone in the center of the chest), at the fourth intercostal space (the space between two ribs) from the top of the chest, and place the electrode with the V2 lead across from the V1 lead, on the left side of the sternum. Place the V4 lead on the patient's left side of the sternum, at the fifth intercostal space; then apply the V3 lead midway between leads V2 and V4. Place leads V5 and V6 to your right of lead V4, in chronological order.

• 7

  Tell the patient to remain still during the procedure. Conditions such as jerking, shivering, or muscle tremors can interfere with EKG results. Once preparation is completed, the EKG machine can begin reading the patient's cardiac activity.