Cardiac Emergencies Flashcards
Which heart chamber pumps oxygenated blood to the body?
Left ventricle
What would be the result of an obstruction in a branch of the pulmonary artery?
Blood is not pumped to the lungs
What is the way in which the heart muscle receives oxygen?
Blood from the aorta enters the coronary arteries
What are symptoms of a problem with the heart?
Mild chest discomfort, severe or crushing pain in the chest, nausea, with or without vomiting
49-yr-old male, history of heart problems. Assuming hea has a nitroglycerin with him, under what circumstances could you administer it to him?
The patient complains of chest pain and has a blood systolic blood pressure greater than 90.
Assuming your protocol allows the administration of nitroglycerin when certain conditions exist, what is the maximum number of tablets to be administered in the prehospital setting?
3
What is the name of the condition in which fatty deposits form in the inner lining of the arteries?
Coronary artery disease
A weakened area of an artery that balloons out and may rupture, causing catastrophic bleeding is called what?
Aneurysm
What is one cardiac dysrhythmia that cannot produce a pulse?
Ventricular fibrillation
What are typical symptoms of angina pectoris?
Responds to nitroglycerin, lasts 3-5 minutes, often subsides with rest
What is the beneficial action of nitroglycerin in some cardiac emergencies?
It dilates blood vessels throughout the body.
What is the result of a portion of the heart muscle dying due to a lack of oxygen?
Myocardial infarction
What is the name given to the condition in which fluid accumulates in the lungs?
Pulmonary edema
What is a potential adverse symptom of the administration of nitroglycerin?
Headache
What is a potential trigger of angina pectoris?
Stress or exertion