Acs Flashcards

1
Q

What is acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?

A

A condition that develops when ischemia is prolonged and not immediately reversible, encompassing unstable angina, NSTEMI, and STEMI.

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2
Q

What are the two results of occlusion in acute coronary syndrome?

A
  • Partial occlusion leads to unstable angina (UA) or NSTEMI
  • Total occlusion leads to STEMI
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3
Q

What characterizes unstable angina (UA)?

A
  • Change in usual pattern
  • New in onset
  • Occurs at rest
  • Worsening pattern
  • Unpredictable and a medical emergency
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4
Q

What is the result of sustained ischemia in myocardial infarction?

A

Irreversible myocardial cell death (necrosis) after more than 20 minutes of ischemia.

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5
Q

How long does it take for necrosis of the entire thickness of the myocardium to occur?

A

5–6 hours.

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6
Q

What area of the heart is most commonly involved in myocardial infarctions?

A

Most MIs involve some portion of the left ventricle.

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7
Q

What type of pain is associated with total occlusion in myocardial infarction?

A

Severe, immobilizing chest pain not relieved by rest, position change, or nitrate administration.

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8
Q

What are common descriptions of chest pain in myocardial infarction?

A
  • Heaviness
  • Constriction
  • Tightness
  • Burning
  • Pressure
  • Crushing
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9
Q

What sympathetic nervous system responses occur during myocardial infarction?

A
  • Release of glycogen
  • Diaphoresis
  • Vasoconstriction of peripheral blood vessels
  • Skin may appear ashen, clammy, and/or cool to touch
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10
Q

What cardiovascular changes occur during myocardial infarction?

A
  • Initially increased HR and BP
  • Then decreased BP due to reduced cardiac output
  • Crackles
  • Jugular venous distension
  • Abnormal heart sounds (S3 or S4, new murmur)
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11
Q

What are common complications after a myocardial infarction?

A
  • Dysrhythmias
  • Heart failure
  • Ventricular aneurysm
  • Cardiogenic shock
  • Pericarditis
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12
Q

What is the most common complication following myocardial infarction?

A

Dysrhythmias, present in 80% of MI clients.

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13
Q

What is the significance of pathological Q waves on an ECG?

A

Indicates that at least half the thickness of the heart wall is involved in infarction.

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14
Q

What diagnostic studies are used to assess unstable angina and myocardial infarction?

A
  • Detailed health history and physical exam
  • 12-lead ECG
  • Serum cardiac markers
  • Coronary angiography
  • Exercise stress testing
  • Echocardiogram
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15
Q

What is the treatment of choice for confirmed myocardial infarction?

A

Emergent PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention).

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16
Q

What is the goal of fibrinolytic therapy in myocardial infarction?

A

To dissolve the thrombus in the coronary artery and reperfuse the myocardium.

17
Q

What is the recommended time frame for administering fibrinolytic therapy after symptom onset?

A

Ideally within 2 to 3 hours, no greater than 12 hours.

18
Q

What are some contraindications for fibrinolytics?

A
19
Q

What is coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery?

A

A surgical procedure that requires sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass, using arteries and veins for grafts.

20
Q

What is the purpose of nutritional therapy in acute coronary syndrome?

A

To initially keep the patient NPO and then progress to a low salt, low saturated fat, and low cholesterol diet.

21
Q

What are the overall goals in nursing management for patients with acute coronary syndrome?

A
  • Relief of pain
  • Preservation of myocardium
  • Immediate and appropriate treatment
  • Effective coping with anxiety
  • Participation in a rehabilitation plan
  • Reduction of risk factors
22
Q

What is the first intervention during an anginal attack?

A

Administration of supplemental oxygen.

23
Q

What are some common nursing diagnoses for patients with acute coronary syndrome?

A
  • Acute pain
  • Decreased cardiac output
  • Anxiety
  • Activity intolerance
  • Ineffective health management
24
Q

What is the first acute intervention for an anginal attack?

A

Administration of supplemental oxygen

This is followed by assessing vital signs and administering medications.

25
Q

What vital signs should be assessed during an anginal attack?

A

Vital signs and pulse oximetry

This helps determine the patient’s respiratory and cardiovascular status.

26
Q

What is the recommended initial medication for pain relief in an anginal attack?

A

Nitrate

An opioid analgesic may be used if further pain relief is needed.

27
Q

What should be monitored continuously in Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)?

A

ECG

Continuous ECG monitoring is critical to detect dysrhythmias and other cardiac complications.

28
Q

What are common acute interventions for ACS?

A

Pain relief with nitroglycerin, morphine, and oxygen

These interventions help manage symptoms and improve oxygenation.

29
Q

What emotional support should be provided to clients experiencing ACS?

A

Maximize client’s social support systems

Consider open visitation to help alleviate anxiety.

30
Q

What is the purpose of a pulmonary artery catheter after CABG?

A

Measuring cardiac output and other hemodynamic parameters

This helps in monitoring the client’s cardiovascular status post-surgery.

31
Q

What is a potential complication of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)?

A

Bleeding and anemia

These can result from damage to RBCs and platelets during the procedure.

32
Q

What should be monitored for complications related to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)?

A

Fluid status and bleeding

This includes monitoring chest tube drainage and incision sites.

33
Q

What is the focus of care in the first 24–36 hours post-CABG?

A

Continuous ECG monitoring and assessing for dysrhythmias

Atrial dysrhythmias are particularly common during this period.

34
Q

Fill in the blank: The main goal of client teaching post-ACS includes _______.

A

Risk factor reduction

35
Q

What factors should be considered for resuming sexual activity after ACS?

A

Emotional readiness of client and partner, physical expenditure

Education on the use of ED medications may also be necessary.

36
Q

What are the key evaluation criteria after ACS treatment?

A

Relief of pain, preservation of myocardium, effective coping with anxiety

Participation in a rehabilitation plan and reduction of risk factors are also important.

37
Q

What are the nonmodifiable risk factors for CAD?

A

Age, gender, family history

These factors cannot be changed and contribute to CAD risk.

38
Q

What are modifiable risk factors for CAD?

A

Hypertension, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity

These can be addressed through lifestyle changes and medical management.

39
Q

What should the nurse teach a client about their risk for developing CAD?

A

Importance of regular checkups and lifestyle modifications

This includes managing hypertension and maintaining a healthy weight.