Question

The nurse is monitoring the electrocardiogram (ECG) of a client who has a myocardial infarction. Which changes does the nurse expect to see in the ECG tracing? (Select all that apply.)

a. ST-segment depression
b. T-wave inversion
c. Normal Q waves
d. ST-segment elevation
e. T-wave elevation
f. Abnormal Q wave

Answer 1

In the case of a myocardial infarction, the ECG changes that a nurse will typically see include ST-segment elevation, abnormal Q waves, and possibly T-wave inversion or ST-segment depression, but not T-wave elevation or normal Q waves.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse monitoring the electrocardiogram (ECG) of a client with a myocardial infarction (MI) can expect to see several characteristic changes on the ECG tracing. Specifically, the ECG changes associated with a myocardial infarction typically include ST-segment elevation and/or abnormal Q waves. These are indicative of a ST-elevated MI (STEMI), which is a severe form of heart attack. T-wave inversion and ST-segment depression may also occur, more commonly associated with non-STEMI events. However, T-wave elevation is not typically associated with MI, and normal Q waves would not indicate the occurrence of a myocardial infarction.