Cardiovascular

Question 1

What are the surface markings of the heart?

Answer 1

Upper border: from 3rd costal cartilage (1cm from sternal border) on the right chest to 2nd intercostal space 2.5cm from sternal border on the left chest

Left border: 2nd ICS 2.5cm from sternal border on left chest to 5th intercostal space at mid-clavicular line (at apex beat)

Inferior border: 5th intercostal space at MCL on left chest to 6th costal cartilage at sternal border on right side.

Right border: From 3rd costal cartilage (1cm from sternal border) on right chest to 6th costal cartilage at sternal border

Question 2

Where would you auscultate for the aortic valve?

Answer 2

2nd intercostal space at the right sternal border

Question 3

Where would you auscultate for the mitral valve?

Answer 3

5th intercostal space at left mid-clavicular line (aka the apex beat)

Question 4

Where would you auscultate for the pulmonary valve?

Answer 4

2nd intercostal space at left sternal border

Question 5

Where would you auscultate for the tricuspid valve?

Answer 5

5th intercostal space at the left sternal border

Question 6

What is the normal heart rate range?

Answer 6

60-100 bpm

Question 7

Where is the apex beat? (And be able to palpate this)

Answer 7

on the left side of the chest: 5th intercostal space, move a bit lateral to the midclavicular line with your middle finger in the ICS and your index and ring finger on the superior and inferior rib. Then move medially slowly until you feel the apex beat.

Question 8

What are the surface landmarks of the aortic arch?

Answer 8

Starts at 2nd costal cartilage at the right sternal border, arches to midway between the jugular notch and sternal angle, back down to 2nd costal cartilage at left sternal border.

Question 9

What branches off the aortic arch?

Answer 9

From right to left: brachiocephalic trunk (which then splits into right common carotid artery and subclavian artery), left common carotid artery, left subclavian artery

Question 10

Surface mark the common carotid artery

Answer 10

Ask patient to turn their head to the side, making the sternocleidomastoid muscle to become prominent, as the common carotid artery is situated under the SCM muscle: From the sternoclavicular joint to the earlobe (each side)

Question 11

Surface mark the internal jugular vein

Answer 11

Lateral to the respective common carotid artery to the sternoclavicular joint.