Alteration to Cardiac Function

Question 1

Major cause of CAD. A plaque build-up narrowing blood vessels and limits blood supply to the heart.

Answer 1

Atherosclerosis

Question 2

Atherosclerotic plaque may rupture causing thrombi or clot which can obstruct blood flow leading to acute

Answer 2

MI

Question 3

4 stages of Atherosclerosis

Answer 3

1. Damaged endothelium - damaged endothelial layer releases cytokines. Macrophages ingest lipids and become foam cells.
2. Fatty streak - accumulations of foam cells and becomes a lesion
3. Fibrous plaque - calcified and protrude into vessel lumen which obstruct blood flow to distal tissues
4. Complicated lesion - Thrombus formed

Question 4

Damage to coronary arteries of the heart due to atherosclerosis

Answer 4

CAD (Coronary Artery Disease)

Question 5

Causes of CAD

Answer 5

NON- MODIFIABLE:
Age, gender, race and family hx

MODIFIABLE:
High cholesterol (high LDLs and low HDLs)
Diabetes
Smoking
Obesity
Lack of physical activity
Metabolic syndrome

Question 6

S&S of CAD

Answer 6

Usually asymptomatic
chest pain (stable angina)
dyspnea 
epigastric distress (heartburn)
pain radiating to jaw or left arm

Question 7

Nursing treatment for CAD

Answer 7

Adm antiplatelets and meds to normalise cholesterol lvls

PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention)

Pt education:
Control cholesterol intake and daily checks
manage HTN
control diabetes
smoking cessation
exercise
healthy diet

Question 8

ischemic events of atherosclerosis

Answer 8

CAD > Myocardial ischemia > Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) > MI

Question 9

a chest pain associated with ischemia due to narrowing of at least one or more coronary artery

Answer 9

Angina Pectoris

Question 10

Types of Angina

Answer 10

Stable - (predictable) occurs during exertion or physical activities

Unstable - (pre-infarction) occurs even at rest and more frequently

Prinzmetal’s - (coronary artery vasopasm) pain at rest with reversible ST-elevation

Question 11

S&S of Angina

Answer 11

Chest pain with heavy sensation radiating to neck, jaw or shoulders
Unusual fatigue
Weakness
SOB
Pallor
Diaphoresis (heavy perspiration)

Question 12

Nursing intervention or procedure escalation for Angina Pectoris

Answer 12

Reperfusion procedures:
CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) and PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Interventions)

Drug therapy:
Nitrates - vasodilators to decrease ischemia and pain (adm via sublingual nitroglycerin or spray)
Calcium channel blockers - relaxes blood vessels to increase oxygen supply to the heart and reduces workload of heart
Beta blockers - decrease myocardial oxygen consumption
Antiplatelet/ Anticoagulant - prevent platelet coagulation and thrombosis