NSP 3276 - ECG Interpretation for Health Care Professionals

College of Nursing

Credit(s): 2
Contact Hours: 32
Effective Term Fall 2025 (655)

Requisites

Admission to Nursing (Bachelor of Science) (NURS-BS) and
Pre- or Co-requisite NUR 3805 with a minimum grade of C

Course Description

This course focuses on the essential information necessary for the accurate interpretation of basic cardiac rhythms and 12-lead electrocardiograms. A systematic approach is utilized for the interpretation of cardiac rhythms, their underlying hemodynamic significance, and current treatment modalities.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will demonstrate an understanding of normal cardiac functioning by:
    1. identifying anatomical structures of the heart.
    2. identifying phases of diastole and systole.
    3. describing the function of the atria, ventricles and cardiac valves.
    4. discussing cardiac output and its components.
    5. describing the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation on the heart.
    6. describing the normal sequence of electrical conduction through the heart.
  2. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the electrophysiological principles of cardiac monitoring by:
    1. identifying components of the electrocardiogram paper on the vertical and horizontal axes.
    2. identifying waveform components of a single heartbeat.
    3. describing methods of calculating heart rate.
  3. The student will demonstrate an understanding of cardiac monitoring leads by:
    1. describing correct electrode placement for selected monitoring leads.
    2. identifying the precordial and limb leads of the 12-lead electrocardiogram.
    3. identifying the myocardial areas viewed by the leads of the 12-lead electrocardiogram.
  4. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the cardiac dysrhythmias and their treatment modalities by:
    1. describing the systematic steps in analyzing cardiac rhythms.
    2. describing the origin, characteristics and treatment of selected sinus, atrial, junctional, and ventricular rhythms.
    3. describing the origin, characteristics and treatment of atrioventricular (AV) heart blocks.
    4. analyzing randomly selected cardiac rhythm strips.
    5. discussing treatment modalities for randomly selected cardiac rhythm strips.
    6. describing 12-lead electrocardiogram changes associated with ischemia, injury and infarct.
    7. describing 12-lead electrocardiogram changes associated with ischemia, injury and infarct.
    8. differentiating between defibrillation and cardioversion as interventional modality.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will, with a minimum of 80% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I 2/27/01, DBT 3/20/01 Effective Yr Sess 20003 Assigned # 2297 effective YrTr 20011. 3 Year Review 2004. C&I 9/26/06, BOT 10/17/06, Effective 20061(0370). State approved change as 3298. Was NUR 3298; changed by State Field Review Effective 20101(0430). 3-Year Review 2010: Acceptable As Is
C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Fall 2025 (655)

Related Programs

  1. Nursing (NURS-BS) (670) (Active)