Cardiovascular System Flashcards
What position are patients examined when doing a cardiovascular examination?
45 degrees and exposed from the waist upwards
Where can the radial artery be palpated?
Between the tendon of the flexor carpi radialis and the tendon of the brachiradialis
What does the radial pulse suggest?
Rate and Rhythm
What pulse rate indicates bradycardia?
<60bpm
What pulse rate indicates tachycardia?
> 100bpm
How is the radial pulse palpated?
Count the pulses within the 30 seconds and multiply by a factor of 2.
Where is the ulnar artery palpated?
Lies between the flexor digitorum superficialis and the flexor carpi ulnaris
Which two positions can the brachial artery be palpated?
1) Brachial artery medial the bicep’s tendon (medial to the antecubital fossa)
2) middle third of the humerus in the medial bicipital groove.
- Ensure that the elbow joint is fully extended
What position is the elbow in when palpating the brachial artery?
Fully extended.
Where is the common carotid artery palpated?
1) Medial border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle
2) Lateral border of the thyroid cartilage
What does the carotid pulse give?
Character and volume can only be detected from the central arteries.
Where is the apex beat palpated?
5th intercostal space at the mid-clavicular line.
How is the apex beat palpated?
Start palpating from the lateral side (near the mid axillary line) - anterior towards the mid-clavicular line
A patient with cardiomegaly will exhibit what type of apex beat when palpated?
Displaced apex beat
What is the range of a normal pulse rate?
60-100bpm
What are the units for a pulse rate?
Beats per minute
Give 4 pathological causes of an absent apex beat in the 5th intercostal space MCL?
Pericardial effusion
Pleura effusion
Obesity
Emphysema
Demonstrate how you will palpate a heave
Place the heel of your hand parallel to the left sternal edge of palpate for heaves.
How is a heave detected/felt, once palpated?
The heel of your hand is lifted with each systole
Parasternal heaves are associated with what type of pathology?
Right ventricular hypertrophy
Demonstrate how you will palpate a thrill
Assess the thrill across each of the heart valves
Place hand horizontally across the chest wall, with the flats of your fingers and palm over the valve to be assessed.
What is a thrill?
A thrill is a palpable vibration caused by turbulent flow through a heart valve
What is a heave?
A parasternal heave is a precordial impulse that can be palpated
Name all four heart valves
Pulmonary
Tricuspid
Mitral
Aortic
Where is the aortic valve auscultated?
Right sternal border in the 2nd intercostal space
Where is the pulmonary valve auscultated?
Left sternal border in the 2nd intercostal space
Where is the tricuspid valve auscultated?
Left 5th costo-sternal border