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Some Really Important Stuff That You May Be Wondering
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Some Really Important Stuff That You May Be
Wondering: Part 2: How Do I Get the Goop Off
My Patient’s Chest Once the EKG Is Finished?
Most EKG electrodes are attached to the body with special pads
impregnated with adhesive. Pulling them off can be painful, especially
if there are hairs caught between the pads and the skin. Usually, a
quick yank is your best bet to minimize your patient’s discomfort.
However, there may still be some adhesive residue left behind where
the pads were placed. Happily, there are all sorts of ways to remove
it—alcohol pads, petroleum jelly, baby oil, and mineral oil can all get
the job done. Even after the goop has been removed, some patients
may still be left with red marks where the electrode pads were placed.
Assure your patient that these will resolve quickly, often within hours,
sometimes days. If they find these spots intolerably itchy, a mild over-
the-counter hydrocortisone cream will quickly set things right.