Cardiovascular Assessment

Question 1

Cardiovascular System (CVS) ?

Answer 1

Cardiac muscle
Atria
Ventricles
Valves
Coronary arteries
Coronary veins
Conduction Structures
Cardiac nerves

Question 2

parts of sternum?

Answer 2

manubrium
body of sternum
xiphoid process

Question 3

5 key landmarks of CV assessment?

Answer 3

aortic valve=RSB 2 nd ICS
pulmonic valve=LSB 2 nd ICS
erbs point LSB 3 rd ICS
tricuspid valve LSB 4 th ICS
mitral valve/PMI= LMCL 5 th ICS

Question 4

3 functions of system?

Answer 4

1. deliver/transport O2 to body organs and tissues
2. removal of waste and CO2
3. maintenance of adequate perfusion of organs & tissues

Question 5

first heart sound S1 LUB is produced by?

Answer 5

contraction of ventricles (AV valves close)

loudest over mitral and tricuspid valves

Question 6

second heart sound S2 DUB produced by?

Answer 6

ventricular relaxation (semilunar valves close)

loudest over aortic and pulmonic valves

Question 7

murmur?

Answer 7

valve doesn’t close properly causing back flow of blood.
swooshing noise

can also be cause by a hole between ventricles which closes at times by itself

Question 8

dysrhythmia?

Answer 8

abnormal

Question 9

arrhythmia?

Answer 9

no rhythm

Question 10

atrial fibrillation?

Answer 10

irregular pulse

must then take apical pulse for 1 min

Question 11

Therapeutic relationship?

Answer 11

1. introduction
2. identify pt bracelet (name DOB)
3. state purpose of visit
4. wash hands
5. provide privacy
6. adjust level of bed

Question 12

Biographical data?

Answer 12

Name, gender, DOB, 
Address, marital status
Education
Religion/spirituality
Etc.

Question 13

1. Reason for seeking care

Answer 13

Chest pain
Dyspnea-trouble breathing
Palpitations-heart sound really loud
Fatigue/Activity Intolerance
Dysrythmias-abnormal rhythm 
Syncope-fainting, dizziness
Peripheral edema
Nocturia-urination at night

Question 14

Inspection?

Answer 14

Skin, Face, Lips, Eyes, Ears, Hair, Nails
Hands, fingers, capillary refill
Jugular veins
Carotid arteries
Anterior chest
Abdomen

will not feel jugular vein, only feel pulse in arteries

never feel both carotid arteries at the same time because you will cut off blood supply to the brain

Question 15

Anterior chest?

Answer 15

looking for rise and fall

Question 16

Abdomen?

Answer 16

looking at fat distribution and pulsations (shouldn’t be any present)

Question 17

Palpation?

Answer 17

DO NOT PALPATE BOTH CAROTID ARTERIES AT THE SAME TIME!!

Palpate carotid pulses
Palpate for bulges, masses & pulsations
Compare apical pulse & carotid arteries
5 Key Landmarks
PMI: fell the maximum contraction

Question 18

Assessment?

Answer 18

inspection
palpation
percussion
auscultation