In some cases, cigarettes and caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, and cola may be restricted two to three hours before testing. Generally, fasting is not required before the test.Your doctor will explain the procedure to you and offer you the opportunity to ask any questions that you might have about the procedure.Both procedures help to detect the presence, location, and extent of diseases that damage the nerves and muscles.Ībout the procedure (EMG) Before the procedure: NCS can determine nerve damage and destruction, and is often performed at the same time as EMG. NCS is a measurement of the amount and speed of conduction of an electrical impulse through a nerve. As the muscle is contracted more forcefully, more and more muscle fibers are activated, producing action potentials.Ī related procedure that may be performed is nerve conduction study (NCS). The action potential (size and shape of the wave) that this creates on the oscilloscope provides information about the ability of the muscle to respond when the nerves are stimulated. When an electrode is inserted, a brief period of activity can be seen on the oscilloscope, but after that, no signal should be present.Īfter an electrode has been inserted, you may be asked to contract the muscle, for example, by lifting or bending your leg. Muscle tissue does not normally produce electrical signals during rest. EMG measures the electrical activity of muscle during rest, slight contraction and forceful contraction. An audio-amplifier is used so the activity can be heard. The electrical activity picked up by the electrodes is then displayed on an oscilloscope (a monitor that displays electrical activity in the form of waves). During the test, one or more small needles (also called electrodes) are inserted through the skin into the muscle. The test is used to help detect neuromuscular abnormalities. VS (vital signs): Temperature, pulse, respiration (breathing), and blood pressure.Electromyography (EMG) measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve’s stimulation of the muscle. It is put in at the stump of the umbilical cord.
UVC (umbilical venous catheter): A tube put into a vein. UAC (umbilical arterial catheter): A tube put into an artery. TPN (total parenteral nutrition): Nutrition fed straight into the bloodstream. TPR: Temperature, pulse, and respiration. SIMV (synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation): IMV timed with the baby’s breaths. Radiant warmer bed: An open bed with a heating device.
Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) or percutaneous central venous catheter (PCVC): A type of tube that is put into a central (large) vein. It goes through the mouth into the stomach. OG tube (orogastric tube): A feeding tube. O2 (oxygen): A gas in the air we breathe. NPO (nil per os): No food or liquid given by mouth. NICU (neonatal intensive care unit): Part of the hospital for newborns with extra medical needs. NG tube (nasogastric tube): A feeding tube. LP (lumbar puncture): A test in which a small needle is used to remove fluid from around the spinal column. IV pump: A machine used to give IV fluids. The needle comes out and the catheter stays in the vein. IV catheter: A tiny flexible, hollow plastic tube inserted into a vein over a needle. IMV (intermittent mandatory ventilation): A way to help babies breathe using a ventilator to give a set number of breaths per minute. HFV (high-frequency ventilator): A machine that gives hundreds of tiny breaths per minute.
Grams and kilograms: Metric units of weight. It goes through the mouth or nose into the windpipe. This can be done with a ventilator (breathing machine).ĬPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation): A way to get the heart and lungs working again if they have stopped.ĮT or ETT (endotracheal tube): A breathing tube. 30 mL equals about 1 fluid ounce.ĬNS (central nervous system): The brain and spinal cord.ĬPAP (continuous positive airway pressure): A way to give a steady, gentle supply of air into the airway while a baby is breathing on his or her own. ML (milliliter): A metric unit of volume. This is caused by the heart beating and by the muscles inside the blood vessel walls. BP is the force of the blood on blood vessel walls. Below are words that you will hear used in the NICU.īP (blood pressure): A type of measurement. Your baby is getting special medical care. This stands for neonatal intensive care unit.
Your baby is in a special part of the hospital. Common Terms and Abbreviations Used in the NICU
0 kommentar(er)
