Question

patient 12
whats the electric device inside that person?
this patient has a problem with an irregular heartbeat. a battery operated pacemaker has been implanted under his skin to help regulate his heart.
1 the pacemaker has wires that lead to the

1. this pacemaker is located under the skin on the patients right/left right side. (choose one and explain how you know)
2. the pacemaker sends a mild electrical signal to the heart to keep it in rhythm. what do you suppose is done when the batteries run down? the entire pacemarker device (pulse generator) is replaced through a minor surgical procedure
3. how could you describe the pacemaker to a patient? (what does it look like)

Explanation:

1. The wires of the pacemaker lead to the heart. This is logical as the pacemaker's function is to regulate the heart's rhythm, so the wires must connect to the heart.
2. The pacemaker is on the patient's left side. In medical imaging (like the X - ray shown), the orientation is such that when looking at the image (assuming standard anatomical orientation where the patient's right is on the viewer's left and vice - versa), the pacemaker is positioned on the left side relative to the heart (labeled on the left side of the image).
3. When the batteries run down, the entire pacemaker device (pulse generator) is replaced through a minor surgical procedure. This is a common medical practice as the pulse generator houses the battery and the electrical circuitry, and replacing it ensures the continued proper functioning of the pacemaker.
4. To describe the pacemaker to a patient, it can be said that it looks like a small, flat, oval - shaped device (similar in size and shape to a large coin or a small box). It has wires attached to it that are connected to the heart.

Answer:

1. Heart
2. Left. In the X - ray (assuming standard anatomical orientation where the patient's right is on the viewer's left and vice - versa), the pacemaker is on the left side relative to the labeled heart.
3. The entire pacemaker device (pulse generator) is replaced through a minor surgical procedure.
4. A small, flat, oval - shaped device (like a large coin or small box) with wires attached.