Here are my top 5 tips for tackling questions with ECGs on the USMLE and shelf examinations
Master these skills and ECG questions will start to feel easy 🧵
#usmle
Master these skills and ECG questions will start to feel easy 🧵
#usmle
1) Learn the HY ECG patterns that get tested. Fortunately, there aren’t that many and the exam will go after bread and butter versions
2) Use the answer choices as a guide
Rather than interpreting it on your own, use the answers as a guide and turn it in to a matching game
If answer A is ‘a fib’ look to see if it matches with A fib. If not, move on to the next answer and repeat.
Rather than interpreting it on your own, use the answers as a guide and turn it in to a matching game
If answer A is ‘a fib’ look to see if it matches with A fib. If not, move on to the next answer and repeat.
3) Look at the contiguous (long lead at the bottom) first. It’s usually easiest to see the pattern here
4) Don’t just look at the ECG
The text in the question stem can often help you determine the correct answer, even if you don’t know the ECG pattern.
If you do know the ECG, ensuring that it lines up with the details in the stem is a good double check of your work
The text in the question stem can often help you determine the correct answer, even if you don’t know the ECG pattern.
If you do know the ECG, ensuring that it lines up with the details in the stem is a good double check of your work
5) For management questions, you can work backwards if you don’t recognize the pattern
For example:
Answer A = metoprolol -> metoprolol can be used to treat A fib -> is this A fib? -> look for an irregularly irregular rhythm without P waves
For example:
Answer A = metoprolol -> metoprolol can be used to treat A fib -> is this A fib? -> look for an irregularly irregular rhythm without P waves
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