Cardiovascular assessment

Question 1

Key functions of the circulatory system?

Answer 1

Supply the body’s cells with oxygen and nutrients.

Remove metabolic waste from the body.

Question 2

Which circulatory system component is responsible for these functions?

Answer 2

The capillaries.

Question 3

Why does dyspnoea and/or pink frothy sputum occur?

Answer 3

Blood “backs up” in the pulmonary veins as the heart can’t keep up with the supply.

Question 4

Why do night sweats occur?

Answer 4

Arteries may become clogged and your heart is forced to overwork. As a result, your body sweats to lower the body’s temperature.

Question 5

Why does syncope/dizziness occur?

Answer 5

The brain is not perfused because the heart is failing to generate enough cardiac output to send freshly oxygenated blood to the brain.

Question 6

Why does angina occur?

Answer 6

Blood flow to the heart is impaired.

Question 7

What happens to the deoxygenated blood during the cardiac cycle?

Answer 7

Deoxygenated blood returns from the body and into the superior & inferior vena cava.

Question 8

Where does the deoxygenated blood travel to after reaching the superior & inferior vena cava?

Answer 8

Deoxygenated blood travels to the right atrium, through the tricuspid valve and into the right ventricle.

Question 9

What happens to the deoxygenated blood when it reaches the right ventricle?

Answer 9

The right ventricle contracts, ejecting blood through the pulmonary trunk which branches to the left & right pulmonary arteries.

Question 10

Where does the blood travel to after reaching the pulmonary arteries?

Answer 10

It goes to the lungs to become oxygenated and returns to the left atrium via the pulmonary veins.

Question 11

What happens to the oxygenated blood after reaching the left atrium?

Answer 11

It travels through the bicuspid valve and to the left ventricle.

Question 12

What happens to the oxygenated blood after reaching the left ventricle?

Answer 12

The left ventricle contracts, ejecting blood through the aorta, aortic arch (neck & head), and to the rest of the body.

Question 13

How are normal heart sounds caused?

Answer 13

By the closure of the heart valves.

Question 14

S1 (first heart sound) is caused by…?

Answer 14

Caused by the closure of the tricuspid and bicuspid valves.

Question 15

What does the closure of the tricuspid and bicuspid valve indicate?

Answer 15

The start of ventricular systole, and the peripheral pulse is felt simultaneously or just after.

Question 16

S2 (second heart sound) is caused by….?

Answer 16

Is caused by the closure of the pulmonary and aortic valves.

Question 17

What does the closure of the pulmonary and aortic valves indicate?

Answer 17

Marks the end of the ventricular systole and the start of the diastole.

Question 18

Inspiration causes what to happen to the pulmonary valve?

Answer 18

Closure of the pulmonary valve just after the aortic valve is prolonged during inspiration.

Also in defects that may cause more blood to be ejected by the right ventricle.

Question 19

FOCUSSED HISTORY

Area of assessment:
Cough / sputum production

Normal findings:
Clear sputum

Abnormal findings:
???

Answer 19

Abnormal findings:
Pink frothy sputum associated with pulmonary oedema

Question 20

FOCUSSED HISTORY

Area of assessment:
Fever / chills

Normal findings:
Normal body temperature between 36.1 to 37.2

Abnormal findings:
???

Answer 20

Abnormal findings:
Elevated temperature associated with endocarditis (inflammation of inner lining of heart) or potential sepsis

Question 21

FOCUSSED HISTORY

Area of assessment:
Palpitations

Normal findings:
None present

Abnormal findings:
???

Answer 21

Abnormal findings:
Palpitations present associated with arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)

Question 22

Area of assessment:
Breathlessness

Normal findings:
Normal breathing

Abnormal findings:
???

Answer 22

Abnormal findings:
Increased respiratory rate caused by over exertion or exercise.

Question 23

FOCUSSED HISTORY

Area of assessment:
Chest pain / discomfort

Normal findings:
No pain present

Abnormal findings:
???

Answer 23

Abnormal findings:
Chest pain radiating to the shoulders, neck and arms

Question 23

FOCUSSED HISTORY

Area of assessment:
Dizziness / syncope

Normal findings:
None present

Abnormal findings:
???

Answer 23

Can be present due to anaemia, low oxygen, low perfusion to the brain.

Question 24

FOCUSSED HISTORY

Area of assessment:
Leg cramp / pain

Normal findings:
None present

Abnormal findings:
???

Answer 24

Claudication present potentially due to narrowed arteries.

Question 25

Area of assessment:
Fatigue

Normal findings:
None present

Abnormal findings:
???

Answer 25

Fatigue can be caused by anaemia, low oxygen saturation, or low perfusion to the brain.