Sure, we all understand that a patient with any sort of chest pain requires a 12-lead ECG; but what other situations call for one? Well, we essentially want to perform One in any situation where we are looking to rule out cardiac causes. Here are a few such situations:
-Unconscious or altered without other identified cause.
-Any non-traumatic pain above the belt.
-Acute onset nausea, especially if combined with dyspnea or diaphoresis.
-Acute dyspnea or worsening of chronic dyspnea, especially with an exertional component.
-Hemodynamically unstable.
-Dysrhythmia in non-traumatic setting, or in the setting of upper torso trauma. -ROSC
A good rule is this: if you think you should do one, then do it.
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