Rhythm of the Heartbeat Case Study Lesson Plan

Lesson Content

• Lesson Plan Template:

  CTE Lesson Plan

• CTE Course Info and Benchmark Notes

  
  

  Program Title: Allied Health Science 3

  Course Number and Title: 8427100 Electrocardiograph Technician 3

  Career Cluster: Health Science

  CIP Number: 0351090204

  CTE-HLTH.912.8427130.1.6 Describe signs and symptoms of a patient demonstrating poor perfusion or low cardiac output and state the importance of rapid reporting.

  CTE-HLTH.912.8427130.4.4 Obtain patient’s vitals (temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry) in preparation for cardiovascular diagnostic testing and report abnormalities.

  CTE-HLTH.912.8427130.2.1 Recognize and practice legal and ethical responsibilities related to an EKG tech.

• Unit Outline

  
  

  This lesson plan is intended to be used with the case study "Rhythm of the Heartbeat". See CPALMS Resource ID# 215707.

• Career Connection

  
  

  Students develop critical analytical, technical, and clinical skills which prepare them for a role as an EKG tech. They also engage in discussions and practical lab exercises to refine their ability to work within a healthcare team, accurately measure and document vital signs, and make informed decisions in clinical scenarios.

• Learning Objectives

  
  

  Students will be able to:

  • Identify and interpret patient vital signs.
  • Describe the scope of practice and ethical standards.
  • Explain HIPAA regulations related to EKG procedures.

• Prior Knowledge

  
  

  Students should be familiar with:

  • Basic life support (BLS) and emergencies.
  • HIPAA and OSHA regulations.
  • Anatomy & Physiology.
  • Medical Terminology.

• Guiding Questions

  
  
  • What roles and responsibilities do EKG techs have in recognizing and responding to emergency situations?"

• Procedure

  
  
  1. Introduce the lesson and distribute the KWL handout. Instruct students to complete the K and W columns only.
  2. Group students into small groups of 2 - 3 and distribute the "Rhythm of the Heartbeat" case study. Instruct students to read the case study, annotate all medical terms, and critique the scenario's characters actions, and decide on what alternative actions, if any, should be taken for a different outcome.
  3. Facilitate a group discussion about the case study using the following questions:
     • What was the role and experience of the healthcare provider?
     • What signs were the patient exhibiting? Is this normal? Why or Why not?
     • What symptoms were the patient exhibiting?
     • What inferences can you make about Hawksville Hospital’s interdisciplinary team?
     • Do you think the EKG tech was appropriate in her actions? Why or Why not?
     • Would you have done anything differently?
  4. Put students into pairs and explain they will practice and demonstrate accuracy on telemetry acquisition and measuring vital signs (TPR & BP) and pulse oximetry. Students should take turns taking on the role of Angie and Mrs. Watkins from the case study.
     • While students are working in pairs, observe students on measuring vital signs for proficiency and documentation. If there are any abnormal findings, students will document and report.
     • When portraying Angie, students should demonstrate appropriate actions as an EKG technicion.
     • Because time is critical in heart-related emergencies. A stopwatch may be introduced to determine the completion time to obtain vital signs and evaluate for technique and accuracy.
     • You may wish to have "heart-related" prizes available for the first three lab-partners to complete lab skills and submit ticket out.
  5. To bring the lesson to a close students will answer the "what they learned" column on the KWL handout.

• Teacher Notes

  
  
  • While it is the physician's role to make a formal diagnosis related to a patient's symptoms and diagnostics, it is critically important for the EKG technician to recognize normal and abnormal signs and symptoms.
  • Related documents can be distributed to students as hard copies or uploaded to a digital platform.
  • Check-off for lab skills on measuring vital signs technique should be graded on accuracy and will more than likely be "normal" because this is a simulation, documentation should reflect the case study's readings.
  • To keep the pace of the activity displaying a timer you may find useful. The teacher can use a 10-minute timer. Many are available online.