Cardiac Conditions

Question 1

Ischemia

Answer 1

Blood flow to the heart is reduced, preventing the heart muscle from receiving enough oxygen.

Question 2

Acute myocardial infarction

Answer 2

Obstruction of the blood supply to an organ or region of tissue causing local death of the tissue

Question 3

Angina

Answer 3

Chest pain caused by insufficient oxygen-rich blood supply to the heart muscle

Question 4

Angiography

Answer 4

Xray imaging of blood vessels using contrast agents injected into the blood stream through a catheter

Question 5

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Answer 5

Minimally invasive procedure that opens blocked coronary arteries to improve blood flow to the heart muscle. Placed in the femoral artery

Question 6

Coronary artery bypass graft

Answer 6

Surgical procedure used to treat coronary heart disease. Diverting blood around narrowed or clogged parts of the major arteries to improve blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart

Question 7

Chest drains- swing and oscillation

Answer 7

Fluid within the tube should swing with respirations due to changes in the intra-pleural pressure. Bubbling and swinging are both dependant on an intact underwater seal and a patent tube.

Question 8

Chest drain management

Answer 8

1. Ensure regular pain relief
2. Deep breathing and coughing exercises
3. Vital signs
4. Pain assessments
5. Keep the tubes unkinked and unblocked
6. Hand hygiene/aseptic technique
7. Keep tubes below the level of the lung to facilitate gravity and prevent back flow

Question 9

PICC line management (4)

Answer 9

Aseptic technique
Regular measurements of tubing to ensure placement is correct and has remained so
Regular flushes to maintain line
Pain assessments to monitor for infection

Question 10

Symptoms of ischemia

Answer 10

Neck or jaw pain
Shoulder or arm pain
Increased HR
SOB
N&V
Sweating 
Fatigue

Question 11

Treatment of ischemia

Answer 11

Lifestyle changes

Medications (Aspirin, nitrates, antihypertensives)

Question 12

Management of ischemia

Answer 12

ECG
Medication administration
Angioplasty
CABG

Question 13

Symptoms of infarction

Answer 13

Pressure/tightness
Pain in the chest, back, jaw
SOB
Anxiety
N&V
Increased HR
Feeling of impending doom

Question 14

Treatment of infarction

Answer 14

CABG
Angioplasty
PTCA
Anti-platelet drugs
Nitroglycerin
Antihypertensives
Pain relievers
Diuretics

Question 15

Management of MI

Answer 15

ECG
Blood tests
Angiograms
Medication administration

Question 16

Symptoms of angina

Answer 16

Dizziness
Fatigue
Nausea
SOB
Sweating

Question 17

Treatment of angina

Answer 17

Nitrates
Anticoagulants 
Antihypertensives 
Statins- cholesterol
Surgeries- angioplasty & CABG
Lifestyle changes

Question 18

Management of Angina

Answer 18

ECG
Blood tests
X-ray
CT scan
MRI

Question 19

Chest drain

Answer 19

Placed in the pleural space or mediastinum to remove air, fluid or pus from the intrathoracic space.

Question 20

Tracheostomy suctioning

Answer 20

1. Procedure will take 5-10 minutes
2. Will cause coughing
3. Catheter will be connected to suction machine
4. Catheter dipped into clean water and placed into the tubing
5. Pt sitting upright & signal discussed
6. Pt to take deep breaths before proceeding

Question 21

PICC line

Answer 21

Peripherally inserted central catheter. Allows access to the large central veins near the heart. Administering medications of liquid nutrition.

Question 22

Conditions requiring chest drain

Answer 22

1. Penetrating trauma to the chest
2. Thoracic surgery
3. Spontaneous pneumothorax