Caring for the ambulatory surgical patient who has a pacemaker: Part I--Preoperative assessment.

Based on the content of this article, the reader should be able to: (1) state the purpose of the NBG pacemaker code; (2) describe the characteristics identified by each position of the NBG pacemaker code; (3) describe the difference between unipolar and bipolar pacing; (4) identify pacing mode using a rhythm strip; and (5) state five parameters to be included in the preoperative nursing assessment of an ambulatory surgical patient with a pacemaker.