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How Do You Set Up a 12-Lead EKG?

Required Materials
Medical reference sources, print or online
Art supplies
Video recording device
Digital camera
Setting up an EKG can be nerve-wracking. There are so many leads, and the patient is sitting right there! Most patients have no idea how to set up an EKG properly, so they can’t advise you. If you create a diagram and make up a memory aid, you will be able to work more confidently and accurately when it comes time to attach the leads to a patient.

Step 1: Find, Reproduce, and Notate Diagram
Use the internet or a medical textbook to find out what a correct 12-lead EKG setup looks like. Copy this diagram as an informational graphic or poster. Spending time copying the diagram instead of just looking at it will help you remember its details later.

Add labels and notes to help you remember what each lead is and where it goes. These labels and notes should be in your own words rather than copied from your source or the unit. If you write something in your own words, you are more likely to thoroughly understand it.

Step 2: Create a Memory Aid for Color Order
If you attach the leads in the wrong place or the wrong order, you could create an artifact that would make it difficult or impossible to read the EKG. To help you avoid this, create a memory aid (also called a mnemonic) for the six chest leads.

As your source will show you, the color order is red, yellow, green, blue, orange, and purple from the patient’s right side to the patient’s left side. Create a sentence that uses the first letter of each color in order. For example, the first four words might be something like Ricky yanked Gail’s beret or Really young gazelles believe. The weirder and sillier you make your memory aid, the more likely you are to remember it.

Step 3: Present Your Work
Record a video of yourself holding up the diagram you reproduced and explaining in your own words where each EKG lead goes. Then say the memory aid you created and explain what each word stands for.

Take a clear picture of the diagram you made. Submit your picture and your video to the dropbox.

1 answer

Setting up a 12-lead EKG can indeed be challenging, but with proper preparation and memory aids, you can approach it with confidence. Here’s a detailed guide to help you through the process:

Required Materials

  1. Medical Reference Sources: Textbooks or reliable online sources for EKG diagrams.
  2. Art Supplies: Paper, colored markers or pencils for reproducing the diagram.
  3. Video Recording Device: Smartphone or camera to record your explanation.
  4. Digital Camera: To take a clear picture of your diagram.

Step 1: Find, Reproduce, and Notate Diagram

  1. Research: Look up a diagram of a 12-lead EKG setup from a credible source.
  2. Reproduce the Diagram: On a piece of paper, carefully copy the diagram, focusing on accuracy.
  3. Label & Notate:
    • Clearly label each lead (e.g., V1, V2, V3, etc.) and their corresponding placements (e.g., V1 on the 4th intercostal space at the right sternal border).
    • Write down key notes next to each lead to help you recall placement and function. For example, "V1: Right 4th Intercostal space."

Step 2: Create a Memory Aid for Color Order

  1. Color Order: Remember that the chest leads from right to left are:

    • V1 (Red)
    • V2 (Yellow)
    • V3 (Green)
    • V4 (Blue)
    • V5 (Orange)
    • V6 (Purple)

  2. Mnemonic: Use the first letters of each color to create a quirky sentence. For example:

    • Mnemonic: Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Orange, Purple could become "Rabbits Yodel Goofy Beats On Pianos."

Step 3: Present Your Work

  1. Video Recording:

    • Hold up your diagram to the camera.
    • Explain where each lead goes, referring to your labels and notes.
    • Clearly state your mnemonic and what each word represents.

  2. Take a Clear Picture: Snap a well-lit photo of your diagram to submit it alongside your video. Ensure that all labels and notes are well-visible in the picture.

Tips for Success

  • Practice: Before recording, practice explaining the setup a few times. This will help you feel more comfortable during the actual recording.
  • Use Clear Language: When explaining the placement of leads, use clear and simple language, making your explanation easy to follow.
  • Check the Recording: After recording, watch the video to ensure that your explanation is understandable and your diagram is clearly shown.

By following these steps, you'll be well-prepared to set up a 12-lead EKG confidently and accurately. Good luck!