Cardiovascular System Flashcards
describe the SA node
primary pacemaker of the heart (60-100)
describe the AV node
secondary pacemaker of the heart (40-60)
describe the role of the Bundle of HIS (AV bundle)
helps w left ventricular contraction; less than or equal to 20 bpm
describe the role of the purkinje fibers
ventricular contraction; 15-40 bpm
describe the single chamber conductor
electrical impulses to right ventricle
describe the dual chamber conductor
electrical impulses to right atrium & ventricle to control contractions between these two chambers
describe the biventricular conductor
(called cardiac resynchronization therapy; Stimulates right and left ventricles to help heart beat more efficiently.
(seen commonly for HF or abnormal electrical systems)
what is cardiac output? what is the normal range?
Amount of blood ejected by the left ventricle in liters / minute.
Normal = 4-6 L/min
what is stroke volume? what is the normal range?
Amount of blood ejected from the left ventricles per heartbeat
Normal = 60-130 ml
how to calculate cardiac output
stroke volume X HR
what is preload?
ventricular stretch at the end of diastole
what is afterload?
resistance to ejection
describe the Frank-Starling Law of the Heart
As preload increases, muscle stretch increases resulting in strong contractions and subsequent greater stroke volume
which stretch receptors deal w orthostatic hypotension & correspond to BP?
baroreceptors
list 4 causes of orthostatic hypotension
- dehydration
- heart problems
- endocrine problems
- NS disorders
list 4 risk factors for orthostatic hypotension
- age
- meds
- diseases
- bed rest
list 3 complications of orthostatic hypotension
- falls
- stroke
- CV diseases
what is ejection fraction? what is the normal range?
end diastolic blood volume ejected w each heart beat (left ventricle)
normal: 55%-65%
what can an ejection fraction be helpful in determining? which specific procedure is done?
HF (echo is done)
how does the heart change as we age? (list 4)
- slower HR
- larger heart
- valves stiffen (unable to close properly)
- decreased compensation (unable to adapt to metabolic changes & postural changes)
which 2 cardiac diseases could CP indicate?
coronary artery disease & MI
which 4 pulmonary disorders could CP indicate?
pneumonia, PE, pulmonary HTN, asthma
which 3 esophageal disorders could CP indicate?
GERD, peptic ulcers, Hiatal hernia
which musculoskeletal / neuro disorder could CP indicate?
muscle strain / shingles
list 8 risk factors for developing any cardiovascular disease
- smoking
- HTN
- physical inactivity
- Hyperlipidemia
- Overweight / obese
- poor diet
- alcoholism
- diabetes
describe an electrocardiogram (ECG / EKG)
- what does it reveal & detect?
electrical activity of the heart; detects arrhythmias
12-lead for testing (10 electrodes)
accurate & quick
describe an echocardiogram
what is it & what does it assess?
- sound waves to produce images of the heart
- assess for heart conditions & ejection fraction for determination of stage of CHF
describe a cardiac stress test
what is it & what does it detect?
if heart is under stress when exercise induced; detects arrhythmias
what is a cardiac monitor?
what does it show?
bedside monitoring; shows full VS (except temp) & a 2-view of the heart
list & describe the 3 cardiac biomarkers
what is the goal value? (normal range)
- CK: indication of an MI
- CK-MB: detects an acute MI or other damage to the heart
- Troponin; serial troponins / high-sensitivity: indication of MI or damage to the heart
goal value: 0.0-0.10
what does a BTNP cardiac biomarker detect?
list the normal levels & ranges for HF
detects HF & cardiac dysfunction
normal levels: <125 (0-74 y/o)
<450 (75-99 y/o)
if pt. has HF:
>450 (under 50 y/o)
>900 (50 y/o & older)
what does a lipid profile measure?
what is the normal level & normal triglyceride level?
measures cholesterol (normal: <200)
normal triglyceride level: <150
what is HF?
heart can no longer keep up w demands of your body
when kidneys do not get what they want, what do they initiate? how does this deal w HF?
the RAS system; vasoconstriction (vessels get stronger) & aldosterone increase reabsorption of water & blood volume leading to blood congestion
what is a symptom of blood congestion?
lots of coughing; trying to clear out fluid
what is the most common cause of right sided HF?
left sided HF
list 8 causes of left sided HF (star which one is most common)
- CAD (vessels of heart become damaged)
- MI
- valvular problems
- renal failure
- HTN
- cardiomyopathy
- diabetes
- sleep apnea
list 5 causes of right sided HF (star which one is most common)
- left-sided HF
- valvular problems (Tricuspid)
- HTN; pulmonary HTN
- CAD
- lung disease
list 5 s/sx of how a client would present w HF
- SOB / activity intolerance (lungs having a difficult time exchanging O2)
- CP
- crackles in lungs; cough; progressing to respiratory distress (from fluid in lungs)
- peripheral edema; pitting edema (gravity) to lower extremities
- palpitations / arrhythmias (A. fibb)
list & describe 6 labs / diagnostics for HF & what they detect (star important ones)
- BNP: beta nateric peptide (should be <300)
- CBC: standard to look at kidney function
- chest x-ray: can detect wall thickening leading to a cardiac meropathy
- CT scan: looks at blood vessels in the heart (do not eat or drink anything day of exam!!) check for shellfish or iodine allergy
- Echocardiogram (ECHO): noninvasive, warm jelly on chest, ultrasound, can show heart valves & regurgitation
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
how does an ACE-I help w HF? list an example med
what is a common side effect?
blocks vasoconstriction & extra fluid; Lisinopril (dry cough is a common AE)
how do beta blocker meds help w HF? list an example med
decrease HR & create a better force of contraction; Metoprolol
how do diuretics help w HF? list an example med
decrease fluid overload; Furosemide (look at K+ levels before giving)
how do anticoagulants help w HF? give an example med
because A fib creates blood clots!
warfarin
how do antiarrhythmics help w HF? give an example med
decrease HR & prevent arrthymias!
Metoprolol
list an example med of a cardiac glycoside used to tx HF
digoxin
list an acute intervention for a pt. w HF; how does this help?
Bipap: forces oxygen down & opens airways so the patient can breathe
list 2 complications of HF
- flash pulmonary edema
- death
list 13 nursing care / considerations for a pt. w HF
- group activities
- elevate HOB
- daily weights
- supplemental O2 (<93%)
- reduce Na in diet
- stop smoking / drinking
- doctor-guided exercise; weight loss
- medication compliance
- restrict fluids (still need to drink though)
- control DM
- repair valves
- treat sleep apnea
- pneumonia / flu vaccinations
what is a HF diet?
low Na+ fat
describe the physiology of CV disease (9)
- arterial damage
- cholesterol / fats / lipids infiltrate
- atheroma
- block / narrow arterial wall
- plaque rupture
- blood clot / cholesterol embolus
- blockage of coronary vessels (MI)
- blockage of cerebral vessels (CVA)
- permanent damage (Atherosclerosis)
list 7 causes of CAD
- hyperlipidemia
- HTN: damages coronary arteries & allows plaque & lipids to collect
- Smoking
- DM: microvascular & macrovascular disease
- sedentary lifestyle; obesity
- Genetic predisposition
- metabolic syndrome: high blood glucose, big waist, high BP, low blood high density lipopoien, high blood triclycerides (if pt. has 3 or more of these symptoms)
list 3 s/sx a client w CAD will present with
- Angina
- Activity intolerance
- Myocardial infarction
how is stable angina described relating to CAD?
very predictable
how is unstable angina described relating to CAD?
not predictable; blockage getting worse
what is intractable / refractory angina indicate?
MI; get to hospital immediately!
what are variant / prinzemtals angina caused by?
vasospasms
describe silent ischemia angina
inverted T waves found on EKG (unknown heart attack)
list 5 s/sx found to indicate an MI
- back / shoulder / jaw / left or right arm pain
- N/V indigestion
- general malaise / SOB / dizzy
- diaphoresis
- CP
list & describe 7 labs / diagnostics used for CAD
- CBC, BMP
- troponin (serial / high sensitivity): released by the heart everytime there is an insult or injury
- D-Dimer: detects blood clots; if +, CT scan must be done
- EKG: tells if & where a pt. is having a heart attack
- echo
- stress test: IV or walking on treadmill
- coronary angiogram: part of the cardiac catheterization (places dye in heart to show where blockage is)
how do statins help w CAD? list an example med
helps control of cholesterol, circulating lipids
EX: atorvastatin
how does aspirin help w CAD?
thins the blood; reduces risk of blood clots from forming
how do beta blockers help w CAD? list an example med
lowers HR; metoprolol
how do calcium channel blockers help w CAD? list an example med
vasodilate to improve blood flow; diltiazem
how does nitroglycerin help w CAD?
what route is it given in? what should you educate your pt. on?
how often should it be given?
tx for angina, potent vasodilator! reduces preload
- given sublingual
- educate pt. to expect HA & burning
- given once every 5 min. (HR & BP must be checked prior to admin)
how do ACE-I’s help w CAD? give an example med
prevents vasoconstriction
EX: lisinopril