What change should a nurse expect to see on the ECG of a patient suspected of having an acute myocardial infarction?

In the case of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), one of the hallmark changes that can be observed on an electrocardiogram (ECG) is ST-segment elevation. This elevation indicates that there is significant ischemia (lack of blood flow) to a portion of the heart, which can result from a blockage in one of the coronary arteries. The elevation is generally seen in the leads that correspond to the area of the heart that is affected by the blockage, and it serves as a critical indicator for diagnosing ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

The presence of ST-segment elevation shows that the cardiac muscle is under stress and is not receiving adequate oxygen. This change is essential for clinicians, as it often triggers immediate interventions, such as angioplasty or thrombolytic therapy, to restore blood flow and minimize heart damage.

Other changes in the ECG, like prolonged QT segments, may be indicative of other conditions but are not specific to acute myocardial infarction. Likewise, decreased heart rate and flattened T waves might occur in different clinical contexts or during different phases of an MI but are not the primary ECG changes associated with an acute event. Therefore, ST-segment elevation is a critical and clear indicator of acute myocardial infarction on