Learning Module: EKG Interpretation and Interventions

Designing a Lesson: Part C

Marjorie Reilly
SUNY Delhi
NURS 601, CRN 10156, Principles of Teaching and Learning
Kirsty Digger
July 3, 2016

EKG Interpretation and Interventions

Curriculum:

ADN

Course:

Nursing 102 (medical surgical nursing)

Topic:

EKG interpretation and interventions

EKG Interpretation and Interventions VoiceThread Presentation

Who
NU 102 Students
ADN Nursing
Program, Columbia
Greene Community
College

What
Content to be
evaluated:

Ability to Interpret
EKGs, and formulate
appropriate
interventions for
EKG arrhythmias.

Where/When
This assignment

will be presented
at the beginning
of the unit, so that
students will

begin to
formulate ideas.
The assignment
will be completed
at the end of the
module to be used
as a summative
assessment of
learning from this
module.

Outcomes
Students will
demonstrate EKG
interpretation.
Students will
formulate
appropriate
interventions for
EKG
arrhythmias.

For this assignment, students will be asked to develop a VoiceThread Presentation. This
VoiceThread presentation will require students to interpret 2 EKG rhythm strips using the 8-step
method. Students will also formulate appropriate interventions for these two arrhythmias. This
assignment was chosen because it will help to determine whether student have met the following
outcomes from the EKG Interpretation and Interventions Module: demonstration of EKG
interpretation, and formulation of appropriate interventions. By creating a VoiceThread
presentation and responding to peers presentations, students will also meet the following
Blooms understandings: remembering, understanding, applying, evaluating, and creating
(Concordia, 2016).
This assignment was also chosen because it incorporates a number of teaching strategies
including: case study/scenario, cooperative and collaborative learning, dialogue, peer sharing,

storytelling, and narrative, and creation and use of media for teaching and learning. These
teaching strategies will appeal to a wide range of learning styles and preferences, which are
intended to engage all of the learners in the class (Billings & Halstead).

Overview: The Assignment

Students will each be assigned to develop a VoiceThread presentation. This presentation

will include interpretation of two abnormal EKG tracings. One will be assigned, one will
be the students choice. The links to these VoiceThreads will submitted to the instructor
for grading and then will be posted in a discussion group on Blackboard for peer
responses.
Students will demonstrate the 8-step EKG interpretation method, determine the
arrhythmia, suggest three possible diagnostic or collaborative interventions (labs, medical
imaging, medications, surgical intervention, cardioversion/defibrillation, etc.).
Students will then determine three nursing diagnoses which are to include desired patient
outcomes, two nursing (independent) actions/interventions, and one collaborative
intervention for each diagnosis.
Each student will then be asked to respond to two other presentations in VoiceThread
with additional suggestions for interventions, and/or discussion of the factors (patients
past medical history/comorbidities, social issues, code status, end-of-life wishes, etc.) that
might be taken into consideration when determining interventions.

NU 102 EKG Interpretation and Interventions VoiceThread Presentation Instructions

1. You will create a narrated (audio or video) VoiceThread Presentation which will consist
of 11-19 slides (not including cover page and references).
2. You will interpret 2 EKG strips. One will be assigned, and the other you will choose from
the file library provided on Blackboard in the Handouts & Notes tab.
3. You will display the EKG rhythm, and present your interpretation using the 8-Step
method presented in class (4-8 slides).
a. For each EKG tracing, you will determine the rhythm, rate (discuss the method of
rate determination used, and why), evaluate the P-wave, determine the cardiac
interval measurements obtained (PR, QRS, QT), evaluate the T-wave, and
evaluate any other pertinent components (U-wave, ST elevation, ectopy, etc.).
b. With this information you will determine the arrhythmia represented by the EKG
strip.
4. You will then present 3 possible actions/treatments for the arrhythmia with rationales
(3 slides).
a. For Example: pertinent labs, medical imaging, medications, surgical,
cardioversion/defibrillation, etc.
5. Choose 3 nursing diagnoses, and for each include (4-8 slides):
a. Desired patient outcomes
b. 2 nursing (Independent) interventions with rationales
c. 1 collaborative intervention with rationale
Each of your slides will have voice or video narration appropriate to, and expanding upon the
content of each slide. You may all wish to develop your presentation in PowerPoint to be
uploaded to VoiceThread, but are welcome to upload content such as documents from your
computer, webcam, or YouTube videos, or photos. The idea here is that you present the
information clearly and concisely, and have some fun in the process. If you have any questions
regarding your presentation, post them in the discussion group I have opened in Blackboard
titled EKG Interpretation and Interventions VoiceThread Presentation Questions and Answers.
Once complete, you will email me the link to your presentation at:
Marjorie.Reilly@sunycgcc.edu
Once graded, I will post the VoiceThread links in Blackboard in a discussion group titled, EKG
Interpretation and Interventions VoiceThread Presentations. This is where you will find the links
to your peers presentations for your responses.
Peer Responses: You will each be assigned to view and respond to 2 peers VoiceThread
presentations. You will respond to at least 3 slides for each presentation with additional
suggestions for actions/interventions, and/or discussion of the factors (patients past medical
history/comorbidities, social issues, code status, end-of-life wishes, etc.) that might be taken into
consideration when determining these actions/interventions. Each presenter is responsible for
responding to peer suggestions. This is where I really want you to have fun. Think outside the
box here. Imagine medical, social, ethical, etc. scenarios that might be considered. Draw from
yours and others clinical experiences, stories youve heard or experienced. The idea here is that

NU 102 EKG Interpretation and Interventions VoiceThread Presentation Instructions

Cont
we begin really looking at the whole picture. Remember, we want to treat the patient, not the
strip. As we have discussed in class, this can mean many different things in the vastly different
clinical scenarios one might encounter.
As this is our third VoiceThread assignment, I do not anticipate anyone having issues in building
their VoiceThread presentation. However, here is the link to the helpful mini-tutorials
VoiceThread has provided: https://voicethread.com/howto/category/creating-web-application/
As always, feel free to email me with any questions or concerns, or post them in our Blackboard
discussion group, EKG Interpretation and Interventions VoiceThread Presentation Questions
and Answers.
Please see the grading rubric posted below, and Have Fun!

NU 102 Rubric: EKG Interpretation and Interventions: VoiceThread Presentation

Each rubric point shall be fully addressed: Refer to assignment instructions, and see specifics
below.
The Assignment:
You will create a narrated (audio or video narration) VoiceThread Presentation which
will consist of 11-19 slides (not including title page).
You will interpret 2 EKG rhythm strips. One will be assigned, the other you will
choose from the file library provided on Blackboard in the Handouts & Notes tab.
You will determine 3 possible actions/treatments for each arrhythmia.
You will determine 3 nursing diagnoses, with 2 nursing, and 1 collaborative
intervention with rationales for each.
Peer Responses: You will each be assigned to view and respond to 2 peers VoiceThread
presentations. You will respond to at least 3 slides from each of the 2 presentations with
additional suggestions for actions/interventions, and/or discussion of the factors (patients past
medical history/comorbidities, social issues, code status, end-of-life wishes, etc.) that might be
taken into consideration when determining these actions/interventions.
For Each EKG rhythm strip you will complete the following:
Grade Based on 100 points. 5% of total semester grade.
Present the EKG rhythm strips and interpretations using the 8-Step
method presented in class (4-8 slides).

EKG rhythm from file library is clearly displayed

For each EKG tracing, you will determine the rhythm, rate (discuss
the method of rate determination used, and why), evaluate the Pwave, determine the cardiac interval measurements obtained (PR,
QRS, QT), evaluate the T-wave, and evaluate any other pertinent
components (U-wave, ST elevation, ectopy, etc.).

Points Possible
N/A

20

Determine the arrhythmia represented by the EKG rhythm strip.

10

Present 3 possible actions/treatments for the arrhythmia with rationales

(3 slides)
Choose 3 nursing diagnoses, and for each include (4-8 slides):
d. Desired patient outcomes
e. 2 nursing (independent) interventions with rationales
f. 1 collaborative intervention with rationale

15

Voice or video narration is appropriate to, and expanding upon the

content of each slide.
Peer Responses: responses to 3 slides in 2 assigned peers
VoiceThread presentations. Suggestions display critical thinking,

30

20

clinical reasoning, and creativity.

Responses to peer suggestions enhance discussion
References

Billings, D. and Halstead, J. (2016). Teaching in nursing: A guide for faculty (5th ed.). St. Louis,
MO: Elsevier.
Concordia University. (2013). Its time to update Blooms Taxonomy. Retrieved from
http://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/curriculum-instruction/is-it-time-to-update-bloomstaxonomy/