Cardiologic Disorders Flashcards
What are the signs of a cardiac disorder (9)?
cyanosis
irregular HR
edema
clubbing
fever
retractions/work of breathing
prominent precordial chest wall
abnormal pulses
abdominal distention
What are some diagnostic tests for cardiac disorders (8)?
arteriogram
ECG
CXR
Holter/ambulatory ECG
ECHO
Stress test
Hcg/Hct
pO2
What are some nursing goals/interventions for children with cardiac disorders and their families?
Improving oxygenation
Promoting adequate nutrition
Assisting the child and family with coping
Providing postoperative nursing care
Preventing infection & family education
Providing child and family education
What is the therapeutic range of digoxin?
0.8-2 ng/mL
What are the parameters for digoxin administration?
infants: <90 bpm
children: <70 bpm
adults: <60 bpm
What are the S/Sx of digoxin toxicity?
- N/V
- dysrhythmia
- decreased UO
What is the antidote for digoxin?
Digibind
How does the cardiac circulation change after birth?
With the first breath, alveoli begin to open. Increase alveoli decreases pulmonary pressure, causing the pressure gradient of the heart to change to LT>RT from RT>LT. Pulmonary pressure normalizes 6-8 wks after birth. Increased LTA pressure closes the foramen ovale. The ductus arteriosus closes.
What are the signs and symptoms of poor perfusion?
- cyanosis
- clubbing
- cold, clammy skin
- edema
- fatigue
- dyspnea with exertion
- difficulty feeding
- decreased UO
What are some complications of poor perfusion?
- edema
- ventricular hypertrophy
- tachypnea
- tachycardia
- ischemia
- renal impairment
What are the signs and symptoms of hypercyanotic spells?
increased cyanosis
hypoxemia
dyspnea
agitation
What are the interventions for hypercyanotic spells?
- knee to chest position
- supplementary oxygen
- morphine sulfate
- fluids
- propanolol
What are the four structural defects that make up Tetralogy of Fallot?
- ventricular septal defect
- right ventricular hypertrophy
- overriding aorta
- pulmonary stenosis
What are the signs and symptoms of Tetralogy of Fallot?
- Tet spells
- difficulty feeding
- cyanosis
- dyspnea, SOB, decreased O2
- clubbing
- adventitious lung sounds/HF
- tripod position or squatting
What are some management interventions for Tetralogy of Fallot?
- morphine sulfate = vasodilation
- provide oxygen
- knee to chest position
- fluids
- correction of metabolic acidosis
Explain how Tetralogy of Fallot causes its signs and symptoms.
Pulmonary stenosis decreases blood flow into the pulmonary arteries. As a result, pressure in the RTV increases, causing right ventricular hypertrophy, eventually resulting in HF. Decreased blood flow into the pulmonary arteries also decreases oxygenation of the blood. Ventricular septal defect causes LT to RT shunting of blood, and overriding aorta both allow deoxygenated and oxygenated blood to mix. Blood in circulation is deficient in oxygen, resulting in poor perfusion. Poor perfusion causes hypercyanosis; difficulty feeding as fatigue and difficulty breathing occurs; dyspnea as the body tries to compensate for hypoxia; clubbing. Children will squat or adopt tripod position to help circulation back to the lungs and heart.
What is the pathophysiology of tricuspid atresia?
The tricuspid fails to form, preventing blood from entering the pulmonary arteries. Instead, blood is shunted through the patent ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale, resulting in mixing of blood and insufficient oxygenation of the system. Tricuspid atresia also may consist of VSD.
What are the two diseases that decrease pulmonary blood flow?
Tetralogy of Fallot and Tricuspid Atresia
What are the signs and symptoms of Tricuspid Atresia
cyanosis
tachypnea
work of breathing
difficulty feeding
HF: crackles, wheezing
cool, clammy skin
clubbing
compensatory polycythemia
What are some complications that may occur even after Tricuspid atresia is corrected?
atrial arrhythmia, LTV dysfunction
may require pacemakers
What are some disorders of increased pulmonary blood flow?
Patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, atrioventricular canal defect
Describe the pathophysiology of a patent ductus arteriosus.
When the ductus arteriosus fails to close after birth, mixing of blood between the pulmonary arteries and aorta (RT to LT*) occurs, causing increased blood flow to the lungs and insufficient oxygenation of the system. Pulmonary congestion and RTV hypertrophy occurs.
What are signs and symptoms of patent ductus arteriosus?
CALL
Cardiac: bounding peripheral pulses, increased HR, low DBP
Activity intolerance
Lungs: HF w/ tachypnea, dyspnea, SOB; edema
Loss of weight: difficulty feeding
What are the treatment medications for patent ductus arteriosus?
prostaglandin inhibitors: indomethacin and ibuprofen
What is the pathophysiology of atrial septal defect?
The foramen ovale fails to close, causing a LT to RT shunt in the atria. This causes mixing of blood and increased blood flow to the lungs. RTV hypertrophy, pulmonary HTN/congestion, and decreased perfusion result.
What are the signs and symptoms of atrial septal defects?
activity intolerance
cyanosis, clubbing, HF, tachycardia
pleural effusion: crackles, dyspnea, pneumonia
loss of weight/impaired growth
Describe the pathophysiology of ventricular septal defects.
Holes in the septum allow LT to RT shunting of blood into the RTV. RTV volume/pressure increases, increasing blood flow into the pulmonary arteries and causing pulmonary congestion and HTN. Pulmonary HTN causes damage to pulmonary arteries. Blood is also mixed, causing poor perfusion. LTV hypertrophy occurs as the heart attempts to meet systemic demands for blood volume and oxygen.
Untreated VSD will lead to Eienmenger syndrome, where shunting reverses.
What are the signs and symptoms of VSD?
HOLE
HF - dyspnea, fatigue, edema, crackles, diaphoresis, clamminess, frequent lung infections
Often fatigued - difficulty feeding
Low growth rate
Extra heart sounds - holosystolic murmur