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Adult Health Nursing I > Cardiovascular Definitions > Flashcards

Cardiovascular Definitions Flashcards

1
Q

Acute Coronary Syndrome

A

Refers to rupture of an atheromatous plaque in a diseased coronary artery, which rapidly form an obstructive thrombus

Signs and symptoms that indicate unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction

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2
Q

Afterload

A

The amount of resistance to ejection of blood from the ventricle

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3
Q

Apical Impulse

A

Impulse normally palpated at the fifth ICS, left MCL

Caused by the contraction of the left ventricle

Also called point of maximal impulse

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4
Q

Atrioventricular (AV) Node

A

Secondary pacemaker of the heart, located in the right atrial wall near the tricuspid valve

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5
Q

Baroreceptors

A

Nerve fibers located in the aortic arch and carotid arteries that are responsible for control of blood pressure

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6
Q

Cardiac Catheterization

A

An invasive procedure used to measure cardiac chamber pressures and assess patency of the coronary arteries

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7
Q

Cardiac Conduction System

A

Specialized heart cells strategically located throughout the heart that are responsible for methodically generating and coordinating the transmission of electrical impulses to the myocardial cells

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8
Q

Cardiac Output

A

Amount of blood pumped by each ventricle in liters per minute

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9
Q

Cardiac Stress Test

A

A test used to evaluate the functioning of the heart during a period of increased oxygen demand

Test may be initiated by exercise or medications

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10
Q

Contractility

A

Ability of the cardiac muscle to shorten in response to an electrical impulse

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11
Q

Depolarization

A

Electrical activation of a cell caused by the influx of sodium into the cell while potassium exits

Cardiac muscle cells change from a more negatively charged state to a more positively charged state

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12
Q

Diastole

A

Period of ventricular relaxation resulting in ventricular filling

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13
Q

Ejection Fraction

A

Percentage of the end-diastolic blood volume ejected from the ventricle with each heartbeat

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14
Q

Hemodynamic Monitoring

A

The use of pressure monitoring devices to directly measure cardiovascular function

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15
Q

Hypertension

A

Blood pressure that is consistently greater than 140/90 mmHg

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16
Q

Hypotension

A

A decrease in blood pressure to less than 100/60 mmHg that compromises systemic perfusion

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17
Q

Murmurs

A

Sounds created by abnormal, turbulent flow of blood in the heart

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18
Q

Myocardial Ischemia

A

Condition in which heart muscle cells receive less oxygen than needed

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19
Q

Myocardium

A

Muscle layer of the heart responsible for the pumping action of the heart

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20
Q

Normal Heart Sounds

A

Sounds produced when the valves close

Normal heart sounds are S1 (AV valves) and S2 (semilunar valves)

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21
Q

Opening Snaps

A

Abnormal diastolic sound generated during opening of a rigid AV valve leaflet

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22
Q

Postural/Orthostatic Hypotension

A

A significant drop in blood pressure (20 mmHg systolic or more) after an upright posture is assumed

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23
Q

Preload

A

Degree of stretch of the cardiac muscle fibers at the end of diastole (ventricular filling)

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24
Q

Pulmonary Vascular Resistance

A

Resistance to blood flow out of the right ventricle created by the pulmonary circulatory system

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25
Q

Pulse Deficit

A

The difference between the apical and radial pulse rates

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26
Q

Radioisotopes

A

Unstable atoms that give off small amounts of energy in the form of gamma rays as they decay

Used in cardiac nuclear medicine studies

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27
Q

Repolarization

A

Return of the cell to resting state, caused by the reentry of potassium while sodium exits

Process by which cardiac muscle cells return to a more negatively charged state, which is their resting state

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28
Q

S1

A

The first heart sound produced by the closure of the AV valves (mitral and tricuspid)

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29
Q

S2

A

The second heart sound produced by the closure of the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonic)

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30
Q

S3

A

An abnormal heart sound detected early in diastole as resistance is met to blood entering either ventricle

Most often due to volume overload associated with heart failure

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31
Q

S4

A

An abnormal heart sound detected late in diastole as resistance is met to blood entering either ventricle during atrial contraction

Most often caused by hypertrophy of the ventricle

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32
Q

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

A

Primary pacemaker of the heart, located in the right atrium

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33
Q

Stroke Volume

A

The amount of blood ejected from one of the ventricles per heartbeat

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34
Q

Summation Gallop

A

Abnormal sounds created by the presence of an S3 and S4 during periods of tachycardia

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35
Q

Systemic Vascular Resistance

A

Resistance to blood flow out of the left ventricle created by the systemic circulatory system

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36
Q

Systole

A

Period of ventricular contraction resulting in ejection of blood from the ventricles into the pulmonary artery and aorta

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37
Q

Systolic Click

A

Abnormal systolic sound created by the opening of a calcified aortic or pulmonic valve during ventricular contraction

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38
Q

Telemetry

A

The process of continuous electrocardiographic monitoring by the transmission of radio waves rom a battery-operated transmitter worn by the patient

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39
Q

Ablation

A

Removal of material from the surface of an object

In the context of cardiology, it is the purposeful destruction of heart muscle cells, usually in an attempt to control a dysrhythmia

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40
Q

Antiarrhythmic Medication

A

A medication that suppresses or prevents a dysrhythmia

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41
Q

Artifact

A

Distorted, irrelevant, and extraneous ECG waveforms

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42
Q

Automaticity

A

Ability of cardiac cells to initiate an electrical impulse

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43
Q

Cardioversion

A

Electrical current administered in synchrony with the patient’s own QRS complex to stop a dysrhythmia

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44
Q

Chronotropy

A

Rate of impulse formation

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45
Q

Conduction

A

Transmission of electrical impulses from one cell to another

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46
Q

Defibrillation

A

Electrical current administered to stop a dysrhythmia, not synchronized with the patient’s QRS complex

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47
Q

Dromotropy

A

Conduction velocity

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48
Q

Dysrhythmia

A

Disorder of the formation or conduction of the electrical impulse within the heart, altering the heart rate, heart rhythm, or both and potentially causing an altered blood flow

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49
Q

Elective Replacement Indicator (ERI)

A

A signal produced by a pacemaker when it is interrogated to indicate a near-depleted battery

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50
Q

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)

A

A device implanted into the chest to treat dysrhythmias

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51
Q

Inotropy

A

Force of myocardial contraction

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52
Q

P Wave

A

The part of an ECG that reflects conduction of an electrical impulse through the atrium

Atrial depolarization

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53
Q

Paroxysmal

A

A dysrhythmia that has a sudden onset and/or termination and is usually of short duration

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54
Q

PP Interval

A

The duration between the beginning of one P wave and the beginning of the next P wave

Used to calculate atrial rate and rhythm

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55
Q

PR Interval

A

The part of an ECG that reflects conduction or an electrical impulse from the SA node to the AV node

56
Q

Proarrhythmic

A

An agent that causes or exacerbates a dysrhythmia

57
Q

QRS Complex

A

The part of an ECG that reflects conduction of an electrical impulse through the ventricles

Ventricular depolarization

58
Q

QT Interval

A

The part of an ECG that reflects the time from ventricular depolarization through repolarization

59
Q

RR Interval

A

The duration between the beginning of one QRS complex and the beginning of the next QRS complex

Used to calculate ventricular rate and rhythm

60
Q

Sinus Rhythm

A

Electrical activity of the heart initiated by the SA node

61
Q

ST Segment

A

The part of an ECG that reflects the end of the QRS complex and the beginning of the T wave

62
Q

Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)

A

A rhythm that originates in the conduction system above the ventricles

63
Q

T Wave

A

The part of an ECG that reflects repolarization of the ventricles

64
Q

TP Interval

A

The part of an ECG that reflects the time between the end of the T wave and the beginning of the next P wave

Used to identify the isoelectric line

65
Q

U Wave

A

The part of an ECG that may reflect Purkinje fiber repolarization

Usually is not seen unless a patient’s serum potassium level is low

66
Q

Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)

A

A rhythm that originates in the ventricles

67
Q

Angina Pectoris

A

Chest pain brought about by myocardial ischemia

68
Q

Atheroma (Plaque)

A

Fibrous cap composed of smooth muscle cells that forms over lipid deposits within arterial vessels and protrudes into the lumen of the vessel, narrowing the lumen and obstructing blood flow

69
Q

Atherosclerosis

A

Abnormal accumulation of lipid deposits and fibrous tissue within arterial walls and the lumen of a large or medium-sized artery

70
Q

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

A

A surgical procedure in which a blood vessel from another part of the body is grafted onto the occluded coronary artery below the occlusion in such a way that blood flow bypasses the blockage

71
Q

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)

A

A protein-bound lipid that transports cholesterol to the liver for excretion in the bile

Composed of a higher proportion of protein to lipid than LDL

Exerts a beneficial effect on the arterial wall

72
Q

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

A

A protein-bound lipid that transports cholesterol to tissues in the body

Composed of a lower proportion of protein to lipid than HDL

Exerts a harmful effect on the arterial wall

73
Q

Metabolic Syndrome

A

A cluster of metabolic abnormalities including insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease

74
Q

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

A

Death of heart tissue caused by lack of oxygenated blood flow

75
Q

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)

A

A procedure in which a catheter is placed in a coronary artery, and one of several methods is employed to reduce blockage within the artery

76
Q

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)

A

A type of percutaneous coronary intervention in which a balloon is inflated within a coronary artery to break an atheroma and open the vessel lumen, improving coronary artery blood flow

77
Q

Stent

A

A metal mesh that provides structural support to a coronary vessel, preventing its closure

78
Q

Sudden Cardiac Death

A

Abrupt cessation of effective heart activity

79
Q

Thrombolytic

A

A pharmacologic agent that breaks down blood clots

Also known as a fibrinolytic

80
Q

Troponin

A

A cardiac muscle biomarker

Measurement is used as an indicator of heart muscle injury

81
Q

Allograft

A

Heart valve replacement made from a human heart valve

82
Q

Annuloplasty

A

Repair of a cardiac valve’s outer ring

83
Q

Aortic Valve

A

Semilunar valve located between the left ventricle and aorta

84
Q

Autograft

A

Heart valve replacement made from the patients own heart

85
Q

Bioprosthesis

A

Heart valve replacement made of tissue from an animal heart valve

86
Q

Chordae Tendinae

A

Nondistensible fibrous strands connecting papillary muscles to AV valve leaflets

87
Q

Choroplasty

A

Repair of chordae tendinae

88
Q

Commissurotomy

A

Splitting or separating fused cardiac valve leaflets

89
Q

Leaflet Repair

A

Repair of a cardiac valve’s movable “flaps”

90
Q

Mitral Valve

A

AV valve located between left atrium and left ventricle

91
Q

Orthotopic Transplantation

A

The recipient’s heart is removed and a donor heart is grafted into the same site

92
Q

Prolapse

A

Stretching of an AV heart valve leaflet into the atrium during systole

93
Q

Pulmonic Valve

A

Semilunar valve located between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery

94
Q

Regurgitation

A

Backward flow of blood through a heart valve

95
Q

Stenosis

A

Narrowing or obstruction of a cardiac valve’s orifice

96
Q

Total Artificial Heart

A

Mechanical device used to aid a failing heart, assisting the right and left ventricles

97
Q

Tricuspid Valve

A

AV valve located between the right atrium and right ventricle

98
Q

Valve Replacement

A

Insertion of a device at the site of a malfunctioning heart valve to restore blood flow in one direction through the heart

99
Q

Valvuloplasty

A

Repair of a stenosed or regurgitant cardiac valve by commisurotomy, annuloplasty, leaflet repair, or choroplasty

100
Q

Ventricular Assist Device

A

Mechanical device used to aid a failing right or left ventricle

101
Q

Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

A

Acute exacerbation of heart failure, with signs and symptoms of severe respiratory distress and poor systemic perfusion

102
Q

Anuria

A

Urine output of less that 50mL/24 hours

103
Q

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT)

A

A treatment for heart failure in which a device paces both ventricles to synchronize contractions

104
Q

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

A

A fluid overload condition associated with heart failure

105
Q

Diastolic Heart Failure

A

The inability of the heart to pump sufficiently because of an alteration in the ability of the heart to fill

106
Q

Ejection Fraction (EF)

A

Percentage of blood volume in the ventricles at the end of diastole that is ejected during systole

A measurement of contratility

107
Q

Heart Failure

A

A clinical syndrome resulting from structural or functional cardiac disorders that impair the ability of a ventricle to fill or eject blood

108
Q

Left-Sided Heart Failure

A

Inability of the left ventricle to fill or eject sufficient blood into the systemic circulation

109
Q

Oliguria

A

Diminished urine output

Less than 0.5mL/kg/hour

110
Q

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND)

A

Shortness of breath that occurs suddenly during sleep

111
Q

Pericardiocentesis

A

Procedure that involves aspiration of fluid from the pericardial sac

112
Q

Pericardiotomy

A

Surgically created opening of the pericardium

113
Q

Pulmonary Edema

A

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces of and alveoli of the lungs

114
Q

Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)

A

Condition in which electrical activity is present on an ECG, but there is not an adequate pulse or blood pressure

115
Q

Pulsus Paradoxus

A

Systolic blood pressure that is more than 10mmHg lower during inhalation that during exhalation

Difference is normally less than 10mmHg

116
Q

Right-Sided Heart Failure

A

The inability of the right ventricle to fill or eject sufficient blood into the pulmonary circulation

117
Q

Systolic Heart Failure

A

Inability of the heart to pump sufficiently because of an alteration in the ability of the heart to contract

118
Q

Anastomosis

A

Junction of two vessels

119
Q

Aneurysm

A

A localized sac or dilation of an artery formed at a weak point in the vessel wall

120
Q

Angioplasty

A

An invasive procedure that uses a balloon-tipped catheter to dilate a stenotic area of a blood vessel

121
Q

Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)

A

Ratio of the ankle systolic pressure to the brachial systolic pressure

An objective measurement of arterial disease that provides quantification of the degree of stenosis

122
Q

Arteriosclerosis

A

Diffuse process whereby the muscle fibers and the endothelial lining of the walls of small arteries and arterioles thicken

123
Q

Bruit

A

Sound produced by turbulent blood flow through an irregular, tortuous, stenotic, or dilated vessel

124
Q

Dissection

A

Separation of the weakened elastic and fibromuscular elements in the medial layer of an artery

125
Q

Duplex Ultrasonography

A

Combines B-mode grayscale imaging of tissue, organs, and blood vessels with capabilities of estimating velocity changes by the use of a pulsed Doppler

126
Q

Intermittent Claudication

A

A muscular, cramplike pain in the extremities consistently reproduced with the same degree of exercise or activity and relieved by rest

127
Q

Rest Pain

A

A persistent pain in the foot or digits when the patient is resting, indicating a severe degree of arterial insufficiency

128
Q

Rubor

A

Reddish-blue discoloration of the extremities

Indicative of severe peripheral arterial damage in vessels that remain dilated and unable to constrict

129
Q

Dyslipidemia

A

Abnormal blood lipid levels, including high total, low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels as well as low high-density lipoprotein levels

130
Q

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

A

Flow rate of filtered fluid through the kidney

An indicator of renal function

131
Q

Hypertensive Emergency

A

A situation in which blood pressure is severely elevated and there is evidence of actual or probable target organ damage

132
Q

Hypertensive Urgency

A

A situation in which blood pressure is severely elevated but there is no evidence of target organ damage

133
Q

Isolated Systolic Hypertension

A

A condition most commonly seen in the older adult in which the systolic pressure is greater than 140 mmHg and the diastolic pressure is within normal limits (less than 90 mmHg)

134
Q

Monotherapy

A

Medication therapy with a single medication

135
Q

Primary Hypertension

A

Denotes high blood pressure from an unidentified cause

Also called essential hypertension

136
Q

Rebound Hypertension

A

Blood pressure that is controlled with medication and becomes uncontrolled with the abrupt discontinuation of medication

137
Q

Secondary Hypertension

A

High blood pressure from an identified cause

Adult Health Nursing I (22 decks)

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