Assessing the Heart and Cardiovascular System

Question 1

How many chambers are there in the heart and what are they

Answer 1

4
right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle

Question 2

How many valves does the heart have and what are they

Answer 2

4
aortic, tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral

Question 3

How are the heart valves controlled

Answer 3

through blood pressure changes

Question 4

Veins

Answer 4

carry deoxygenated blood to the heart

Question 5

Where are veins

Answer 5

close to the surface

Question 6

Arteries

Answer 6

carry oxygenated blood to the body

Question 7

Where is the heart positioned

Answer 7

on the left side between the 2nd and 5th intercostal spaces

Question 8

perfusion

Answer 8

a continuous supply of oxygenated blood through blood vessels to the vital organs

Question 9

What two phases fill and empty the heart’s chambers

Answer 9

systole and diastole

Question 10

Systole

Answer 10

contraction of the ventricles (emptying)

Question 11

Diastole

Answer 11

relaxation of the ventricles (filling)

Question 12

What are the central vessels

Answer 12

carotid arteries, jugular veins

Question 13

What do jugular veins do

Answer 13

return blood from the vein to the superior vena cava

Question 14

What are the peripheral vessels

Answer 14

arteries and veins

Question 15

What do diseases in the vascular system cause

Answer 15

problems with the delivery of O2 and nutrients to tissues, and elimination of CO2 and wastes from cellular metabolism

Question 16

What does the pressure from each heartbeat cause

Answer 16

arteries to expand and recoil

Question 17

what questions should you obtain regarding a clients cardiovascular history (6)

Answer 17

demographic data, health history, family history, cardiovascular history, nutrition history, lifestyle/health promotion activities

Question 18

What do you listen for during cardiovascular assessments (5)

Answer 18

cardiac rate, rhythm, abnormal heart sounds, S1-S4, murmurs

Question 19

Where do you listen to heart sounds

Answer 19

aortic, pulmonic, erb’s point, tricuspid, mitral

Question 20

How long do you listen to heart sounds

Answer 20

1 minute in each spot

Question 21

What is a cardiovascular assessment used for

Answer 21

help identify significant factors that influence cardiovascular health

Question 22

Should the cardiovascular exam be done as a part of each head-to-toe exam

Answer 22

yes

Question 23

What part of the stethoscope should you be using to listen to heart sounds

Answer 23

both the diaphragm and bell

Question 24

What is the vascular assessment used for

Answer 24

to identify signs and symptoms of peripheral vascular disease

Question 25

What do you do during a vascular assessment (3)

Answer 25

inspect skin/mucous membrane color, general appearance, palpate pulse/skin/temperature/capillary refill/edema/areas of tenderness

Question 26

What are the 8 pulse sites

Answer 26

temporal, carotid, brachial, radial, dorsalis pedis, femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial

Question 27

Describe the aortic valve

Answer 27

2nd intercostal space, right sternal border, hear S2 noise best here (diastole)

Question 28

Describe the pulmonic valve

Answer 28

2nd intercostal space, left sternal border

Question 29

Describe Erb’s point

Answer 29

3rd intercostal space, left sternal border

Question 30

Describe tricuspid valve

Answer 30

4th intercostal space, left sternal border

Question 31

Describe mitral valve (apical pulse)

Answer 31

5th intercostal space, midclavicular line, hear S1 sound best here (systole)

Question 32

Describe the S1 sound

Answer 32

Lub, created by the closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves, beginning of systole, dull low pitched sound

Question 33

Describe the S2 sound

Answer 33

Dub, created by the closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves, beginning of diastole, high pitched and shorter than S1

Question 34

Describe the S3 sound

Answer 34

An extra sound heard after S1, gallop cadence (KenTUCKy), best heard at the apical site in a side laying position

Question 35

Describe the S4 sound

Answer 35

An extra sound heard before S1, FLOrida, best heard at apical site using bell in a side-laying position

Question 36

What is a normal heart rate

Answer 36

60-100 bpm

Question 37

When are heart sounds louder

Answer 37

as a child

Question 38

What is a normal capillary refill time

Answer 38

less than 3 seconds

Question 39

Describe a heart murmur

Answer 39

turbulent blood flow with a swooshing or blowing sound when listening,

Question 40

What do you do if a heart murmur is detected

Answer 40

do further assessment

Question 41

Thrill

Answer 41

vibration felt while checking the pulse

Question 42

Bruit

Answer 42

audible sound blood makes as it moves through arteries

Question 43

What are the pulse strengths

Answer 43

0: absent
+1: weak
+2: normal
+3: strong
+4: bounding

Question 44

Developmental differences in infants/children for heart and vascular system

Answer 44

-Cyanosis when feeding? Crying?
-Poor feeding?
-Keep up with other kids?
-Blue spells?
-What are naps like?
-Joint pain? Fever?

Question 45

Developmental differences in older adults

Answer 45

-Stopped taking any medications?
-Does illness interfere with ADLs?
-Stairs in home?
-The pain perception is going to be different and diminished