Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

NURS5050 > Cardiovascular > Flashcards

Cardiovascular Flashcards

1
Q

What is the Framingham Heart Study?

A

Long-term cohort study that helped identify major risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Created a tool to calculate risk of developing CVD and determined that some are modifiable.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the 5 major age-related cardiac changes?

A
  1. Accumulation of atherosclerosis - can cause MI
  2. Collagen increases and elastin decreases
  3. Decreased number of pacemaker cells - can cause afib or heart blocks
  4. Heart valves stiffen and thicken - the heart has to work harder to pump
  5. Diminished response to stressors - e.g. exercise intolerance
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Gerontologic assessment findings may include:

A

Changes in chest wall - kyphosis
Orthostatic hypertension more common
Increase in systolic blood pressure, and decrease in diastolic - widened pulse pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Promoting heart health for the older adult:

A

Healthy diet
Medication adherence
Smoking cessation
Stress reduction
Exercise

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Afib Risk Factors:

A

Advanced age
HTN
Obesity
Diabetes
Smoking and alcohol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Explain the pathway of normal conduction

A

The impulse starts at the SA, then travels to the AV node, bundle of His and Purkinje fibers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

The SA node causes ______ contraction.

A

atrial

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

The AV, Bundle of His, and Purkinje fibers cause ___________ contraction.

A

ventricular

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

ECG/EKG

A

Measures the electrical activity of the heart

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

P wave

A

measures atrial activity (depolarization)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

QRS complex

A

measures ventricular contractions (depolarization) , a normal QRS complex is 0.12 seconds, >0.12 is considered wide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

T wave

A

represents ventricular repolarization

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How to determine heart rate based on telemetry strip

A

Count the number of R waves within the 6 second strip, then multiply by 10.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How do you determine the hearts rhythm?

A

If the distance between R waves is consistent then it is “regular” if the distance is inconsistent then the rhythm is “irregular”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What could a prolonged PR interval indicate?

A

The PR interval is the measured from the beginning of the P wave to the beginning of the QRS complex, if this is prolonged it could indicate a heart block, meaning the electrical impulse from the SA is not reaching the AV node.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What can a peaked T wave indicate?

A

hyperkalemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What can ST segment elevation indicate?

A

MI or ischemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)?

A

Disorganized atrial impulses that are not coming directly from the SA node. This irregular rhythm causes the atria and ventricles to become out of sync. When the atria fibrillate blood pools, and the atria won’t empty.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Paroxysmal AFib

A

ends spontaneously within 7 days but may recur

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Persistent AFib

A

continuous sustained for greater than 7 days

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Long-standing persistent AFib

A

continuous greater than 12 months

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Permanent AFib

A

the decision is made to stop attempts to restore sinus rhythm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

AFib Heart Rate

A

300-600 BPM
- measured by atrial impulses
- the ventricular rate is irregular

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

AFib Symptoms:

A

Chest pain
Heart palpitations
Light headedness
SOB
Many will have no symptoms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
AFib Complications:
Stroke MI Heart Failure Cardiomyopathy
26
Why is AFib increase the likelihood of a stroke?
Fibrillation causes blood to pool in the atria. If a clot forms in the left atria, it could easily dislodge and travel to the brain.
27
Medications to decrease ventricular rate:
calcium channel blockers, and beta-blockers
28
What is cardioversion?
The process of defibrillation to reset the rhythm of the heart (controlled shock)
29
Medications to convert to sinus rhythm:
Amiodarone
30
Medications to prevent stroke:
warfarin, pradaxa, eliquis
31
Causes of SA node dysfunction:
CAD, HF, cardiomyopathy, MI, electrolyte imbalances, certain drugs
32
Secondary pacemakers in the heart:
AV node 40-60 BPM Purkinje-His system 20-40 BPM
33
Would you see a P wave on an ECG of someone with SA node dysfunction?
You could see no P wave, or a P wave in retrograde (depressed)
34
Heart Block Dysrhythmias:
Also called AV block of Bundle Branch Block - a disconnection between atrial and ventricular impulses that results in delay or complete disassociation.
35
Which stage degree of heart block is the most severe? (1-3)
3rd degree = complete block, SA node fires but no signals get to the ventricles so blood will not pump efficiently.
36
What will with an ECG look like in complete heart block?
Absent QRS complexes
37
Pacemaker Candidates:
Symptomatic bradycardia (dizziness, chest pain, SOB, syncope, fatigue, hypotension) AFib with slow ventricular response Heart Failure Cardiomyopathy SA node dysfunction Second-and third-degree heart blocks
38
Single chamber pacemaker:
stimulates either R atria or R ventricle
39
Dual chamber pacemaker:
stimulates both the R atria AND R ventricle
40
Biventricular pacemaker:
stimulates RA, RV, an LV Used in advanced HF
41
Demand mode:
Only fires when the HR falls below a certain point, allows for a natural sympathetic response
42
Fixed pacing mode:
fires at a set continuous rate
43
What will you see on and ECG with someone with a paced rhythm and dual chamber pacemaker?
An atrial pacing spike followed by a ventricular pacing spike
44
Important nursing considerations for pacemakers:
Patients are more susceptible to clots Need follow ups and replacements Magnets will deactivate the device (NO MRI) Pt should carry a device card
45
What is heart failure?
When the heart does not pump enough blood to meet the body's needs
46
Left side heart failure: HFrEF
HFrEF = heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, there is a deficit in left ventricular contraction (systolic dysfunction)
47
Left sided heart failure: HFpEF
HFpEF = heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, there is a deficit in ventricular filling (diastolic disfunction)
48
Right sided HF:
The right ventricle is too weak to effectively pump blood into the lungs, therefore blood backs up into the veins causing edema
49
At what EF value is the heart in HF?
<40%
50
Causes of HF in older adults:
CAD, MI HTN Mitral and Aortic stenosis Cardiomyopathy Arrhythmias like AFib
51
Left sided heart failure can cause
Right sided heart failure
52
Manifestations of LHF
L=Lungs crackles, pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, cough S3 and S4 heart sounds Tachycardia
53
Manifestations of RHF
Backs up in the venous system Ascites Edema Hepatomegaly JVD Murmurs Weight gain
54
ACCF/AHA Stage A-D
Measure the presence of disease (objective) from A (high risk but no disease or symptoms) to D (advanced heart disease with continued HF requiring specialized therapy)
55
NYHA Function Classification (1-4)
Function based, 1 being no limitation, 4 being inability to carry out any physical activity without discomfort
56
Treatment for Stage A (High risk for HF)
Quit smoking Exercise regularly Treat hypertension No drugs or alcohol Medication adherence for other conditions
57
Treatment for Stage B (heart disease without signs of HF)
ACE inhibitor or ARB Beta-blockers should be taken after an MI Surgery for coronary artery disease or valve disease
58
Treatment for stage 3 (heart disease with signs of HF)
Diuretics and digoxin restrict dietary sodium, monitor weight pacemaker or ICD may be recommended Aldosterone inhibitor may be prescribed if symptoms persist
59
Treatment for stage D (HF not responding to treatment)
Heart transplant Ventricular assist devices Surgery options End of life care
60
Overall treatment goals (HF):
symptom relief optimize fluid volume status maintaining O2 saturation provide patient education discharge planning
61
What is aortic stenosis?
The narrowing of the aortic valve opening, making it harder for blood to flow from the left ventricle into the aorta and out of the body.
62
How does aortic stenosis affect the heart?
The left ventricle has to work harder to push blood through the narrowed valve, this leads to left ventricular hypertrophy (thickened muscle). Eventually the heart can't keep up and this can cause HF.
63
Aortic Stenosis symptoms
think SAD Syncope (fainting with exertion) Angina Dyspnea (SOB, especially with exertion)
64
Causes of aortic stenosis:
Heart condition present at birth Calcium buildup on the valve (aortic valve calcification) Rheumatic fever
65
Aortic stenosis complications:
Heart failure Stroke Blood Clots Bleeding Arrhythmias Infections such as endocarditis
66
How do you identify normal sinus rhythm?
p, QRS, a t segments in uniform repeating succession. (equal distance between R waves) HR 60-100 bpm
67
How do you identify sinus tachycardia?
Distance between R waves is decreased but normal sinus, HR >100 bpm
68
How do you identify sinus bradycardia?
Distance between R waves is increased but normal sinus. HR<60 bpm
69
How do you identify asystole?
flat line
70
How do you identify Aflutter?
R-R regular, Saw tooth between qrs complexes
71
How do you identify Afib?
R-R irregular, P waves without a qrs following
72
How do you identify Ventricular tachycardia?
No visible P wave, just ventricular contractions - wide QRS. HR>100 bpm
73
How do you identify ventricular fibrillation?
Ventricles quiver, no P waves, barely any qrs
74
Causes and treatment for sinus tachycardia:
Exercise or exertion Stress or anxiety Fever Pain Hypovolemia Anemia Hypoxia Medications such as stimulants Treatment: Treat the underlying cause first Then medications that can lower HR, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers
75
Causes and treatment for sinus bradycardia:
Increased vagal tone, hypothermia, medications like beta-blockers, hypothyroidism, may be normal in athletes. Treatment: O2 therapy If medication induced stop medications Atropine for severe bradycardia dopamine or epinephrine if atropine is ineffective
76
Causes of asystole:
The H's hypoxia hypovolemia hydrogen ion (acidosis) hyper or hypokalemia hypothermia The T's toxins tamponade tension pneumothorax thrombosis (pulmonary or coronary)
77
Treatment for Asystole:
immediate CPR epinephrine treat any reversible causes DEFIBRILLATION IS NOT INDICATED there is no electrical activity to reset
78
Causes and treatment for Aflutter
Causes: HR or vascular disease hypertension post surgery pulmonary embolism Treatment: vitals ECG medications to control heartrate medications to prevent thromboembolism
79
Causes of AFib
Hypertension HF valvular heart disease excessive alcohol intake stimulants advanced age obesity electrolyte imbalances infections
80
Treatment for AFib
Assess patient ECG Vitals Medications: beta-blockers antiarrhythmics anticoagulants what for signs of embolic events
81
Causes of ventricular tachycardia
ischemic heart disease cardiomyopathy electrolyte imbalances prolonged QT interval Scar tissue in the heart heart failure valvular heart disease genetic disorders drug toxicity
82
Treatment for Vtach
Assess patients stability monitor vitals and ECG Administer O2 to improve perfusion Call for help Can deteriorate into VFib!!!!
83
Causes of ventricular fibrillation
MI cardiomyopathy electrolyte imbalances prolonged QT interval drug toxicity severe acidosis trauma underlying heart conditions
84
Treatment for Vfib
Initiate code blue CPR Defibrillation Medications: epinephrine, amiodarone maintain airway monitor rhythm and pulses document events

NURS5050 (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions