Cardiovascular Emergencies Flashcards
What is the flow of blood through the heart?
RA > RV > Lungs > LA > LV
What is arteriosclerosis?
thickening/hardening of vessel wall
What is atherosclerosis?
buildup of plaque inside of the vessels
What is plaque?
adipose tissue depositis
What are 2 cardiac diseases that can contribute to atherosclerosis?
HTN and hypercholesterolemia
What can a complete obstruction of the coronary artery lead to?
myocardial infarction
How many coronary arteries are there?
4
In what part of the contraction cycle do the coronary arteries fill up with blood?
diastole
What 3 bad habits/lifestyles can contribute to acute coronary syndromes?
smoking | obesity | alcohol abuse
What is cardiac compromise?
lack of O2 in the heart = makes the heart adapt and work harder to compromise for hypoxia
How do we treat for cardiac compromise? Why?
O2 | NEED to decrease O2 demand of the heart = decrease the workload
What are the 3 types of definitive care for cardiac compromise situations?
Cardiac Cath Lab | Clot-busting medications | Angioplasty/CABG
What are the 6 types of chest pain complaints in terms of location and type?
substernal/midsternal | one that radiates to neck, jaw, and L arm | heartburn/indigestion | apressure, squeezing and tightness
How do you differentiate GI-origin vs cardiac-origin heartburn/indigestion?
GI-originated indigestion is relieved with antacids | cardiac-origin indigestion is progressively worsened and not relived by antacids
How does hypoxia present itself in the patient?
will have pain
What are the 6 patient rights?
right patient | right drug | right dosage | right route | right time | documentation
How does nitroglycerine work?
vasodilates
What is the indication for nitroglycerine?
cardiac-related/origin chest pain
What are the 3 contraindications for nitroglycerine?
hypotension (low BP) | recently taken enhanced drugs | MOI related CP
What is the route for nitroglycerine?
sublingual
What must you always do before and after administering nitroglycerine?
check BP
What are the 3 side effects for nitroglycerine?
drops BP = light headed | dizziness | weak
What position must you place the patient who recently had nitoglycerine?
supine
Why do you want to vasodilate the blood vessels for someone who has an MI or CAD?
to supply more blood to the heart = decreasing workload
What is the indication for administering aspirin?
for cardiac-origin chest pain
How does aspirin work?
anti-clotting formation
What are the 2 contraindications for aspirin?
allergies | recent surgeries | recent GI bleeds
What is the route for aspirin?
oral
What is angina pectoris?
temporary inadequate supply of O@ to heart muscle
What usually triggers angina pectoris?
exertion
What PMHx will a person suffering from angina pectoris have?
CAD - atherosclerosis
How is an angina pectoris usually relieved by?
rest
What is an unstable angina?
angina pectoris does not resolve with rest/other methods
What is happening to the heart muscle during an unstable angina?
heart is becoming ischemic (lack of O2)
What may an unstable angina lead to?
MI
What is a Myocardial Infarction?
death of cardiac muscle tissue due to ischemia of the heart due to sudden complete blockage of coronary arteries
What are the 7 signs and symptoms of an MI/angina?
chest pain | jaw pain | epigastric pain/indigestion | poor skin signs | dyspnea | irregular pulses | progressively hypotensive
What occurs right after MI if symptoms worsen?
cardiogenic shock
What occurs after cardiogenic shock?
cardiac arrest
What is a significant sign of cardiogenic shock?
progressive hypotension (80/40)
What is cardiogenic shock?
heart is unable to pump as efficiently as it used to = drop in perfusion
What are the 4 treatments we can do for an MI/angina pectoris?
give O2 | nitro | aspirin | treat for shock as needed
What is an Acute Aortic Aneurysm?
ballooning of aortic vessel somewhere within the vessel walls of aorta
What causes the ballooning effect seen in AAA?
blood is released into the layers of the aortic vessel
What are the 2 common causes of AAA?
blunt force trauma and CAD
What is the biggest concern with a patient who has a AAA? Why?
rupture of the aneurysm = death in seconds
What are the 5 symptoms of a AAA?
unequal pulses | unequal BP | pulsating abdominal mass | tearing/shearing chest pain | hypo-perfusion (shock)
What would be considered hypertensive? (Range)
120/80 - 140/90
What is considered a hypertensive emergency?
Systolic BP > 160 mmHg | or rapid increase
What are the 9 signs of hypertensive emergency?
tinnitus | epistaxis | photophobia | altered mental status (AMS) | strong bounding pulse | N/V | dizziness | peripheral pulmonary edema | flushed/red skin
What is the treatment for hypertensive emergencies?
supportive care
What are the 4 symptoms of CHF?
pulmonary edema | crackles | dyspnea | lower extremity edema | pink frothy sputum
What is CHF?
decreased cardiac function = unable to pump blood effectively = backup of blood
