A nurse is preparing the client for an electrocardiogram (ECG). The client asks the nurse what is an electrocardiogram.
Which is the best description for an electrocardiogram?

Choice A rationale

Alcohol consumption, obesity, diabetes, stress, and high cholesterol are all significant risk factors for heart disease. However, smoking is not listed in this choice. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease as it damages the lining of the arteries, leads to the build-up of fatty deposits (atherosclerosis), and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Choice B rationale

Smoking, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol are all major risk factors for heart disease. Smoking contributes to the development of atherosclerosis and increases the risk of heart attacks. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, strains the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease. Obesity is linked to multiple risk factors, including high cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension. Diabetes can cause damage to blood vessels and increase the risk of cardiovascular complications. High cholesterol contributes to the formation of plaques in the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis.

Choice C rationale

Personality type is not a major risk factor for heart disease. Although certain personality traits, such as Type A behavior (characterized by competitiveness, urgency, and hostility), have been associated with increased stress and a higher risk of cardiovascular events, they are not considered primary risk factors. High cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking are significant risk factors, but this choice does not include hypertension or obesity, which are also crucial risk factors for heart disease.

Choice D rationale

Family history, hypertension, stress, and age are important risk factors for heart disease, but this choice does not include some key factors such as smoking, obesity, or diabetes. Family history of heart disease can indicate a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular conditions. Hypertension and stress contribute to cardiovascular risk, and age is a non-modifiable risk factor as the risk of heart disease increases with age. However, the absence of smoking, obesity, and diabetes makes this choice less comprehensive in assessing heart disease risk factors. .

Choice A rationale

Lateralization to the unaffected ear in Weber's test actually indicates sensorineural hearing loss in the affected ear. This choice is incorrect as it doesn’t describe the correct procedure for the test.

Choice B rationale

The Weber's test involves placing an activated tuning fork in the midline of the skull and asking the patient if the sound is heard more loudly in either ear. This helps determine if there is lateralization, which is key in diagnosing the type of hearing loss. Thus, this is the correct procedure for the test.

Choice C rationale

Placing the tuning fork on the mastoid bone and then over air is actually part of the Rinne test, not the Weber test. This choice is, therefore, incorrect for the Weber test.

Choice D rationale

Similar to Choice C, this process describes the Rinne test, which compares air conduction and bone conduction of sound. This is not the correct method for performing Weber’s test.