How to Secure Telemetry Monitor Cables

Telemetry monitor technicians use cardiodiagnostic equipment to monitor the heart activity of patients. To monitor cardiac activity, the technician must attach electrodes to a patient's arms, legs and chest. These electrodes attach to adhesive electrode pads, which are placed directly on the skin. If telemetry cables are not secured to electrode pads, or adhesive electrode pads come loose from the skin, the cardiodiagnostic equipment will give a false or inaccurate reading of cardiac activity. A technician may use a telemetry monitoring checklist to confirm the proper placement of electrodes and verify transmission on the screen or transmitter.

Things You'll Need

• Isopropyl alcohol
• Disposable razor

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Instructions

• 1

  Cleanse the patient's skin with isopropyl alcohol. Allow the skin to dry; adhesive electrode pads will not stick to wet skin.

• 2

  Remove any hair on the chest of the patient with a disposable razor. Adhesive electrode pads must make direct contact with the skin to avoid interruption of cardiac monitoring.

• 3

  Place adhesive electrode pads on the skin of the patient. Connect the telemetry cables to the adhesive electrode pads. The snap button on each adhesive pad connects to the snap prong on the tip of each cable.

• 4

  Ensure a secure connection between all adhesive electrode pads and skin. Verify all cables make a secure connection to corresponding electrode pads.