A comprehensive collection of clinical examination OSCE guides that include step-by-step images of key steps, video demonstrations and PDF mark schemes. A comprehensive collection of OSCE guides to common clinical procedures, including step-by-step images of key steps, video demonstrations and PDF mark schemes. A collection of communication skills guides, for common OSCE scenarios, including history taking and information giving. A collection of data interpretation guides to help you learn how to interpret various laboratory and radiology investigations. A comprehensive collection of medical revision notes that cover a broad range of clinical topics.

When looking at a lead ECG, a few logistics must be understood. First, the standard lead ECG is a second strip. Other leads will span only about 2. Each ECG is divided by large boxes and small boxes to help measure times and distances. Each large box represents 0. The image below depicts each of these.

Nursing Times; 28, early online publication. Patients who are acutely ill, or at risk of becoming so, are not always nursed in critical care. Developing skills in basic monitoring and observation enables nurses to care for them in a safe and efficient manner. It should be used to identify simple cardiac rhythm abnormalities only, not for making specific diagnoses Jevon, The first article in this three-part series explored indications for ECG monitoring, common problems and nursing responsibilities when caring for monitored patients.

Learning the art of ECG interpretation requires intellect, commitment, effort and — perhaps most importantly — an organized approach. Assuming that most of you reading this blog do not have that much time, please allow me to share what I have discovered in my years teaching ECGs to make the process more simple — and maybe even enjoyable. I imagine it is understood that learning all of ECG interpretation is going to take more than 10 minutes of your time and that it is not quite so easy. To be proficient, it will take a bit of effort. Some memorization and pattern recognition will be required.