Answer:
To prepare a patient for an EKG, the following steps are generally followed:
Inform the patient: The healthcare provider should inform the patient about the procedure and explain what will be involved. They should also answer any questions or concerns that the patient may have.
Prepare the patient: The patient will need to remove their clothing from the waist up and put on a hospital gown. They should also remove any jewelry or metal objects that may interfere with the test.
Position the patient: The patient will be asked to lie down on a bed or examination table. The healthcare provider will usually position the patient on their back with their arms at their sides.
Clean the skin: The healthcare provider will clean the skin where the electrodes will be placed. This is usually done with alcohol or a special skin prep solution.
Attach the electrodes: The healthcare provider will attach several small electrodes to the patient's chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes are attached with adhesive and are painless.
Record the EKG: Once the electrodes are in place, the healthcare provider will start the EKG machine. The machine will record the electrical activity of the heart and produce a graph called an electrocardiogram. The patient will need to lie still and breathe normally during the test, which usually takes about 10-15 minutes.
Remove the electrodes: After the test is complete, the healthcare provider will remove the electrodes from the patient's skin. Any remaining adhesive can be removed with alcohol or soap and water.
Provide instructions: The healthcare provider will provide any necessary instructions to the patient, such as when they can expect to receive the results of the test or any follow-up care that may be needed.
Step-by-step explanation: