cardiopul re Flashcards
What is the primary function of the heart?
The heart pumps blood through three types of blood vessels: arteries, veins, and capillaries.
What system controls heart rate?
The nervous system controls heart rate by sending signals that adjust the heart’s pace.
What role does the endocrine system play in heart function?
The endocrine system sends hormones that affect blood vessel constriction and blood pressure.
What are the three types of blood vessels the heart pumps blood through?
- Arteries
- Veins
- Capillaries
What does the conduction system of the heart do?
It controls the heart’s electrical activity, leading to muscle contractions.
What is electro-mechanic coupling?
It is the relationship between electrical changes in heart tissue and mechanical muscle contractions.
What does an ECG/EKG measure?
The ECG records the electrical activity of the heart.
What are the two common abbreviations for electrocardiogram?
- EKG
- ECG
What is a normal QRS width in an ECG?
Narrow
What is an arrhythmia?
An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm where the heart may beat too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly.
What can happen if the heart stops beating?
It can lead to life-threatening conditions like stroke, heart failure, or cardiac arrest.
What is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)?
CPR is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating.
What is the purpose of CPR?
To provide artificial circulation and ventilation until defibrillation can be performed.
What is the Chain of Survival?
- Early recognition
- Early CPR
- Early defibrillation
- Early ACLS
What is the significance of early recognition and intervention in cardiac arrest?
For every 1-minute delay in recognition and defibrillation, there is a 10% reduction in the chance of successful intervention.
What are the recommended CPR training courses?
- Basic Life Support
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- Pediatric Life Support
What is high-quality CPR characterized by?
- Push hard (at least 2 inches)
- Push fast (100-120/min)
- Allow complete chest recoil
What are the two types of rhythms in cardiac arrest?
- Shockable
- Non-shockable
What are examples of non-shockable rhythms?
- Asystole
- Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)
What is an example of a shockable rhythm?
Ventricular Fibrillation
What is the role of epinephrine during CPR?
Administered every 3-5 minutes to help restore circulation.
What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio in CPR without an advanced airway?
30:2
What is the purpose of using an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)?
To deliver a shock to restore normal heart rhythm.
What special considerations are there for CPR in pregnant patients?
You are trying to save two lives.
What is Torsade de Pointes?
A potentially fatal heart rhythm caused by rapid and irregular ventricular beats, often drug-related.
Fill in the blank: The heart is a muscular organ about the size of a _______.
fist
True or False: Mechanical activity of the heart can be sensed by echocardiography.
True
What is the definition of Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia?
A condition characterized by a broad complex rhythm, rapid rate, and constant QRS morphology.
What is Monomorphic VT?
A type of Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia with a broad complex rhythm and constant QRS morphology.
What is Polymorphic VT?
A type of Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia that includes Torsade de Pointes, often caused by QTc prolongation.
What does the term ‘Asystole’ refer to?
A state of no electrical activity in the ventricles, leading to no cardiac output and no pulse.
What is Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)?
A condition where there is electrical activity in the heart but no pulse due to uncoupling of electrical activity and contraction.
What is the role of vasopressors in ACLS?
They are used to increase vascular resistance and improve coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure.
Name two vasopressors used in ACLS.
- Epinephrine
- Dopamine
What is the first-line vasopressor in the ACLS algorithm?
Epinephrine
What is the mechanism of action (MOA) of Epinephrine?
Acts on alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors to increase systemic vascular resistance and coronary perfusion pressure.
What are the indications for administering Epinephrine?
- V Fib
- V Tach (after shocking)
- PEA
- Asystole
Fill in the blank: The dose of Epinephrine for IV/IO push is _______.
1 mg repeated every 3-5 minutes
What is Amiodarone classified as?
A Class III anti-arrhythmic drug.
What is the mechanism of action of Amiodarone?
Blocks K+, Na+, and Ca+ channels, increasing the duration of the action potential.
In which situations is Amiodarone indicated?
- Recurrent pulseless V Fib
- V Tach with pulse
What is the typical dosing for Amiodarone in pulseless arrest?
300 mg IV push.
What is the maximum dose of Lidocaine for pulseless arrest?
3 mg/kg.
What is the mechanism of action of Magnesium in cardiac resuscitation?
Exact mechanism unknown; thought to influence Na+/K+ ATPase pump and cardiac cell function.
What is the indication for administering Magnesium?
- Torsades de Pointes
- Hypomagnesemia
What are the H’s that can reverse cardiac arrest causes?
- Hypovolemia
- Hypoxia
- Hydrogen ion (acidosis)
- Hypothermia
- Hypo/hyperkalemia
What are the T’s that can reverse cardiac arrest causes?
- Toxin
- Tamponade
- Tension pneumothorax
- Thrombosis
- Trauma
What is the role of the emergency pharmacist in cardiac resuscitation?
- Providing expert knowledge on medications
- Calculating accurate dosages
- Preparing necessary drugs rapidly
- Ensuring proper administration
- Minimizing medication errors
- Optimizing drug therapy
True or False: Atropine is effective for Mobitz type II heart block.
False
What is the typical dose of Atropine for bradycardia?
0.5-1 mg IV.
What is the mechanism of action of Lidocaine?
Blocks Na+ channels and shortens phase 3 repolarization.
What does the ECG look like in Asystole?
It appears as a straight-line trace.
What is the first-line treatment for Cardiac Tamponade?
Pericardiocentesis.
