Electromyography (EMG)

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Included In This Lesson

Study Tools For Electromyography (EMG)

Muscle Anatomy (Cheatsheet)
Routine Neuro Assessments (Cheatsheet)
Muscle Types (Picmonic)
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Outline

Overview

  1. Electromyography (EMG)
    1. Needles inserted into muscle
    2. Assess nerve and muscle transmission

Nursing Points

General

  1. Procedure
    1. Small electrode needles are inserted into muscle
    2. Patient contracts muscle
    3. Electrical impulses measured through electromyograph
  2. Purpose
    1. Diagnose nerve/muscle disease
    2. View transmission of impulses
  3. Indications
    1. Numbness
    2. Tingling
    3. Muscle weakness

Assessment

  1. Before
    1. Explain procedure
    2. Clean skin to remove oil
    3. Tell patient the insertion will sting

Therapeutic Management

  1. During
    1. Doctor will place needles
    2. Doctor will give patient direction
  2. After
    1. Doctor removes needles
    2. Assess site for bruising and redness

Nursing Concepts

  1. Mobility -> altered mobility may indicate EMG
  2. Functional Ability -> altered functional ability may indicate EMG

Patient Education

  1. Tell patient they may feel tenderness days after
  2. Doctor will provide results

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Transcript

Hey guys! Welcome to the lesson on the electromyography or EMG!

The purpose of the EMG is to assess nerve and muscle transmission to diagnose disease. Let’s discuss the procedure. 

During the procedure, electrode needles are inserted into the muscle. The doctor tells the patient when to contract the muscle, and the impulses are read through the electromyograph. Let’s explore the indications for the EMG.

The doctor might order an EMG if the patient is experiencing numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness. An example is that my husband had an EMG done years ago on his wrist and they diagnosed him with carpal tunnel. Let’s talk about the nurse’s role. 

If the doctor orders the EMG, explain the procedure to the patient. Clean the skin and let the patient know that the needle insertion will sting. 

During the procedure, the doctor will place the needles and give the patient direction on muscle contraction.

After the procedure, the doctor will remove the needles. Assess the site for bruising and redness. 

The priority nursing concepts for the patient with an EMG are mobility and functional ability. 

Alright guys, let’s review the key points. The EMG is a test where small electrode needles are inserted into a muscle to measure nerve and muscle functioning to diagnose disease. The doctor might order this test if the patient has any numbness, tingling, or weakness. Before the procedure, explain it to the patient and clean the skin. During, the doctor will place the electrodes and provide direction to the patient on muscle contraction. Assess the site after for bruising and redness. 

Okay guys, that’s it on the EMG! Now go out and be your best self today, and as always, happy nursing!


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Concepts Covered:

  • Cardiovascular
  • Circulatory System
  • Emergency Care of the Cardiac Patient
  • Nervous System
  • Neurological
  • Respiratory
  • Urinary System
  • Respiratory System
  • Endocrine System
  • Studying
  • Tissues and Glands
  • Medication Administration
  • Hematologic System
  • Digestive System
  • Skeletal System
  • Integumentary Disorders
  • Preoperative Nursing
  • Muscular System
  • Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
  • Noninfectious Respiratory Disorder
  • Basics of Human Biology
  • Urinary Disorders
  • Cardiac Disorders

Study Plan Lessons

02.03 Swan-Ganz Catheters for CCRN Review
02.04 Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP) for CCRN Review
02.09 12 Lead EKG- Leads 1, 2, 3, aVL, and aVF for CCRN Review
07.02 Neuro Anatomy for CCRN Review
10.01 Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Interpretation for CCRN Review
ABG Course (Arterial Blood Gas) Introduction
10.02 Breath Sounds for CCRN Review
Adrenal Gland
Alkalosis and Acidosis Nursing Mnemonic (Kick Up, Drop Down)
Anatomy & Physiology Course Introduction
Anticholinergics – Side Effects Nursing Mnemonic (4 Can’ts)
Arterial Blood Gases Nursing Mnemonic (ROME)
Arterial Pressure Monitoring
Atropine (Atropen) Nursing Considerations
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Beta 1 and Beta 2 Nursing Mnemonic (1 Heart, 2 Lungs)
Blood Grouping
Bowel Elimination
Calcium and Magnesium Imbalance for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Calculating Heart Rate
Cardiac (Heart) Physiology
Cardiac Cycle
Causes of Poor Gas Exchange Nursing Mnemonic (All People Can Value Lungs)
Cholinergic Crisis – Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (SLUDGE)
Digestion & Absorption
Development of Bones
Electrical Activity in the Heart
Electrical A&P of the Heart
Electromyography (EMG)
Hygiene
Hyperkalemia – Causes Nursing Mnemonic (MACHINE)
Hyperkalemia – Management Nursing Mnemonic (AIRED)
Hyperkalemia – Signs and Symptoms Nursing Mnemonic (Murder)
Hypernatremia – Causes Nursing Mnemonic (MODEL)
Intro to Health Assessment
Membranes
Membrane Potentials
Mouth & Oropharynx
Muscle Contraction
Muscle Physiology
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Fluid Volume Deficit
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Bronchoscopy (Procedure)
Oxygen Delivery Module Intro
Pancreas
Parasympathomimetics (Cholinergics) Nursing Considerations
Renal (Kidney) Fluid & Electrolyte Balance
Renal (Kidney) Acid-Base Balance
Renal (Kidney) Structure & Function
Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System
Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS)
Respiratory A&P Module Intro
Respiratory Functions of Blood
Selecting THE vein
Skeletal Anatomy
Skeletal Muscle
Small Intestine
Sodium and Potassium Imbalance for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
The Heart
Thyroid Gland
Tonicity of Solutions – Live Tutoring Archive
Trach Care
Trach Suctioning
Urinary Elimination
Urinary System Anatomy (Anatomy and Physiology)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Heart Failure (CHF)