Cardiovascular Flashcards
What measures the amount of cholesterol one has?
Plasma cholesterol screening
What can you eat 12 hours before plasma cholesterol test?
Only sips of water to achieve accurate results
What do you do after the application of a cast on the arm?
Elevate the arm for the first 24 - 48 hours to minimize swelling. It protects from pressure and flattening of the cast.
Tredelenburg test can be used for clients with…
varicose veins
Heartburn that radiates to the jaw indicates…
chest pain
Patient receiving thrombolytic therapy may cause…
bleeding, for example with IM injections
What does it mean if the pulse increases?
tissues are not being perfused correctly
What problems does a low platelet count cause?
No blood clotting, allowing blood to infuse joints, putting the pt at risk for injury
What is the most common cause of mitral valve problems?
A history of rheumatic fever with a subsequent complication of carditis which affects the valve.
What does CVP readings measure?
the pressure in the right ventricle
What does Swan-Ganz catheter measure?
the pulmonary artery wedge pressure, which is an indirect reading of the pressure in the left ventricle.
What is a pulmonary artery catheter?
a multi lumen apparatus
What can a pulmonary artery catheter measure?
Pulmonary artery pressure Myocardial filling pressures Cardiac output Pulmonary resistance Systemic resistance Cardiac index (the cardiac output divided by the body surface area)
Should a nitroglycerine patch be removed prior to an MRI?
Yes
What is Buerger’s disease (thromboangitis abliterans)?
a vascular occlusion disease of the extremities causing a decreased blood flow to the feet and legs
What is keep-open-rate?
the lowest possible infusion rate (cannot be used on sickle cell patients because they need more hydration)
Sickle cell patients should not be given aspirin because…
of bleeding tendencies
What is the rate of keep-vein-open (KVO)?
20 ml/hr, this rate will keep access open
Why do elderly patients have lower temperatures?
due to lower metabolic rate
How is adult hypertension recognized?
After 2 readings taken at least 5 minutes apart
5 things to know about sequential compression device (SCD):
- apply anti embolism stocking prior to applying SCD sleeves.
- stocking should be worn the entire time they’re in the hospital. Should be removed after baths and replaced after the skin is dry and before the client gets out of bed.
- the stocking is worn to prevent discomfort and increase blood flow.
- you need to be able to fit 2 fingers between the sleeve and the leg.
- SCD is used to decrease venous stasis and reduce risk of thrombus formation.
Why is talcum powder used?
it allows easier application of the stocking
Why elevate the patient’s leg before applying the stocking?
it prevents stagnation of blood in the lower extremities.
When applying stockings their should be no wrinkles because…
it can cause irritation to the skin
4 things to know about DVT:
- pt should not be ambulating, bed rest for 5 - 7 days to prevent pulmonary embolisms. Leg should be elevated with warm moist packs.
- the affected calf is expected to be warm.
- extremity edema is expected because of venous congestion.
- patients need to be given anticoagulants
2 things to know about IV sites?
- if tenderness and redness is noted, remove catheter and apply warm soaks to decrease swelling.
- marking pen should not be used on IV bag. ink can penetrate the plastic and get into the solution. Labeling should be done on the bag label using a regular pen.
What is used to wean patients off TPN?
Hypertonic dextrose solution
What is extravasation?
When vesicant has filtrated.
What is vesicant?
a medication or IV solution that causes blisters and tissue sloughing (burning).
8 medications that can cause burning if infiltrated?
- vancomycin
- gentamycin
- penicillin
- dilantin
- any antineoplastic
- calcium
- potassium
- epinephrine
Infiltrations need cool compresses except for…
Vancomycin, which needs warm compresses
If hematoma or bleeding is suspected what kind of compresses are best?
Cool compresses. It constricts vessels to slow down bleeding or stop bleeding.
With a central venous catheter how often do you flush?
After giving meds flush with saline and then heperinized solution afterwards. Then flush every 12 hours or after meds administration.
Why limit manipulation of the cannula at the IV insertion site?
To prevent dislodgment.
Why should IV sites not be close to joints?
Because movements could cause displacement.
What is the correct sequence for cardiac assessment?
inspection, palpation and then auscultation
What is polyarteritis nodosa?
inflammation of the small arteries causing diminished blood
What can reverse supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)?
Valsalva’s maneuvers such as having a child stick their thumb in their mouth, close it and blow.
What is the most frequent cause of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?
Sepsis
If a patient is undergoing septic shock and there is blood at the venipuncture site around and IV catheter, this is an indicator of…
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) a life-threatnening problem.
Septic shock causes an increase in…
capillary permeability
What is DIC?
Not a disease, but a sign of an underlying condition. An acquired clotting disorder from overstimulation. Hyperstimulation of coagulation pathways that eventually fails, resulting in bleeding.
7 things that trigger DIC:
- Sepsis
- Trauma
- Cancer
- Shock
- Abruption placentae
- Toxins
- Allergic reactions
What happens to PT, PTT and platelet count in DIC?
PT and PTT are prolonged and platelet count is reduced.
What lab tests are specific for DIC?
- Fibrin-split products (FSP)
2. Fibrin degradation product (FDP)
What are a group of soluble protein fragments that are produced by the proteolytic action of plasmin on fibrin or fibrinogen?
Fibrin degradation product (FDP)
How do you provide oral care for a patient with DIC?
Use oral swabs because it has the least potential cause of tissue injury in the oral cavity.
Patients with DIC may bleed from?
- Mucous membrane
- Venipuncture sites
- GI and urinary tract