Cardiac Pathology Flashcards
What to look and feel for before treatment
- discoloration of skin
- diaphoresis
- RR, HR, BP, Pulse ox
- JVD: distension of the jugular vein due to R sided heart failure
- Edema? bilateral pitting in extremities/face or neck may indicate heart failure
- quality and rhythm of pulses
- electrocardiogram/EKG
Auscultation
listening (usually with a stethoscope)
Listen to each valve area:
• Aortic: 2nd intercostal space, R sternal border
•Pulmonic: 2nd intercostal space, L sternal border
•Tricuspid: 4th intercostal space, L sternal border
•Mitral valve: 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line
Normal heart sounds: S1
first sound is the AV valves closing to begin systole
Normal heart sounds: S2
the 2nd sound is the closure of aortic and pulmonic valves at the end of systole
Abnormal heart sounds: murmur and pericarditis
• Murmur (systolic or diastolic): turbulent flow through a stenotic or regurgitant valve
•Pericardial friction rub: due to pericarditis (refers to inflammation of the pericardium, two thin layers of a sac-like tissue that surround the heart, hold it in place and help it work. A small amount of fluid keeps the layers separate so that there’s no friction between them)
Abnormal heart sounds: S3
Ventricular Gallop: vibration of distended ventricles during passive filling
- normal in children
- in adults may indicate heart failure
Abnormal heart sounds: S4
Atrial Gallop: vibration of distended ventricles upon atrial kick
-due to HTN, stenosis, MI
Lab values: BNP (B type natriuretic peptide)
Normal: less than 1,000 pg/ml
Abnormal: over 500 indicated heart failure, plan for low exercise tolerance, watch vitals closely, avoid compression, expect orthopnea
Lab values: CK-MB (creatine kinase myocardial band)
Normal: 0-3% is normal
Abnormal: elevates with MI, usually taken in 3 sets after MI, wait for the values to trend down before starting PT
Lab values: Troponin I
Normal: 0-0.2 mcg/mL
Abnormal: 100% cardiac specific, needs to be trending down to start PT
Lab values: Hgb
Normal: 13-18 m/dL men
12-16 m/dL women
Abnormal: determines O2 carrying capacity. With a low hgb the pt will fatigue easily . HR and RR daster, postible syncope. Limit exercise significantly for patients with CHF and hgb near of or below 8 m/dL
Lab values: hct
Normal: 37%-49% men, 36%-46% women
Abnormal: RBCs in relation to total blood volume. Not as reliable as it can differ based on hydration levels
Coagulation labs: prothrombin time PT
Normal: .8-1.2
Coagulation labs: partial thromboplastin time PTT
Normal: 21-35 seconds
Abnormal: 60-109 seconds
Related meds: heparin
Coagulation labs: INR international normalized ratio
Normal: .8-1.2
Related meds: warfarin/coumadin
Electrolytes: sodium Na
Normals: 135-145 mEq/L
Implications: hypernatremia, or hyponatremia
Potassium K
Normals: 3.5-5 mEq/L
Implications:
hyperkalemia
hypokalemia: arrhythmia, BLE muscle cramps
Calcium Ca
Normals: 9-11 mg/dL
Implications:
Hypercalcemia: erratic rhythm
Hypocalcemia: reduced contractility
BUN
normal: 10-20
Creatine
.5-1.2 mg/dL
Glucose
70-110 mg/dL
70 or lower should have a snack before exercising
Normal sinus rhythm
regularity of P, QRS, and T waves
Atrial flutter
rapid atrial rate (P wave) compared to the slower ventricular rate (ARS)
Atrial fibrillation
P waves are replaced by irregular and rapid fluctuations. There are no effective atrial contractions
•frequently occurs about 48 hours after open heart surgery
•often starts as afib with rapid ventricular rate (RVR)
which decreases the CO significantly resulting in fatigue, dyspnea, lightheadedness, syncope. Pt needs rest and meds, often IV.
• longer term risk of blood clots
Ventricular tachycardia
ventricular rate may be as high as 250 beats per minute. The rhythm is regular, but the atria are not contributing to ventricular filling and blood output is poor.
•if you see a run of 3 or more Vtach beats, stop and check if it is accurate
what to look for on EKG
- rate
- rhythm
- ST depression
- ST elevation
- abnormalities