Cardiovascular System Flashcards
What is the relationship of the kidneys to the cardiovascular system?
(3)
1) The kidneys filter about 1L of blood per minute.
2) If cardiac output is decreased, the amount of blood going through the kidneys is decreased; urinary output is decreased. Therefore, a decreased urinary output may be a sign of cardia problems
3) When the kidney’s produce and excrete 0.5mL of urine/kg of body weight or average 30mL/hour output,, the blood supply is considered to be minimally adequate to perfuse the vital organs.
Angina is caused by
Myocardial ischemia.
Which cardia medications would be appropriate for acute angina?
1)Nitroglycerin- causes dilation of the coronary arteries allowing more 02 to get to the heart muscles.
What does Digoxin do to the heart?
It increases the strength and contractility of the heart muscle.
What does Atropine do to the heart?
It increases heart rate by blocking vagal stimulation, which suppress the heart rate.
What does Propranolol do to the heart?
Used for long term management for stable angina because it acts as a beta blacker to control vasoconstriction.
What is important to remember when administering medications and treatments in patients with myocardial infarctions?
M-Morphine
0-Oxygen
N- Nitroglycerin
A- Aspirin
What are the risk factors for HTN?
Hereditary Race Age Alcohol abuse Increased salt take Obesity Use of oral contraceptive
What is the number one cause of stroke in HTN clients?
Noncompliance with medication regieme
What is the normal adult BUN
10-20
What is the normal creatinine level
0.6-1.2 mg/dl
How does heparin work?
Prevents the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin and
prevents prothrombin to thrombin thereby preventing clot formation.
What is the antidote for heparin?
protamine sulfate
What is the antidote for Coumadin?
Vitamin K
Normal therapeutic range for PT and PTT?
1.5-2.5
What is cardioversion?
Delivery of synchronized electrical shocks to the myocardium
what are synchronous or demand pacemakers?
Pacemaker fires only when the clients heart rate falls below a rate set on the generator
What are asynchronous or fixed pacemakers?
Pacemaker fires at a constant rate
Restricting sodium reduces salt and water retention thereby..
reducing vascular volume and preload to the heart
Side effects of digitalis are increased when the client is
hypokalemic
Digitalis has a negative chronotrophic effect. What does that mean?
It slows the heart rate
Hold digitalis if the pulse rate is
below 60
What are signs of digitalis toxicity?
Bradycardia, tachycardia, and dysrhythmias.
n/v and headache
What is pericarditis?
Inflammation of the lining of the heart and is detected by a friction rub, ST segment elevation, and t wave inversion.
How do clients experiencing angina describe that pain?
Described as a squeezing, heavy, burning pain that radiates to the left arm or shoulder. Is transient or prolonged
What is the teaching plan for a client taking nitroglycerin?
- Take at the first sign of angina pain
- Take no more than 3 5 min apart
- Call for emergency attention if no relief in 10 minutes
List the parameter of BP for diagnosing HTN?
BP > 140/90
Differentiate between essential and secondary HTN?
Essential HTN; no known cause
Secondary HTN; develops in response to an identifiable mechanism
Develop a teaching plan for a client taking antiHTN medications?
- Explain how and when to take medications
- Reason for medication
- Necessity of compliance
- Need for follow-up visits while on medications
- Need for certain lab tests
- Vital sign parameters while initiating therapy
Describe intermittent claudication?
Pain related to PVD.
Pain occurs with exercise and disappears at rest
What lab value should be monitored daily in a client with thrombophlebitis who is undergoing anticoagulant therapy
PTT PT Hgb Hct Platelets
When do PVC’s present grave dangers?
When they begin to occur more often that 1 in 10 beats, occurs in 2’s or 3’s, lands near a t wave, or take on multiple configurations
Differentiate between the symptoms of L-sided HF and R-sided HF?
Left: Pulmonary congestion; backup of circulation in the left ventricle
Right: Peripheral congestion: back up of circulation in the right ventricle
List 3 symptoms of digitalis toxicity
Dysrhythmias
Headache
N/V
What condition increases that likelihood that digitalis toxicity will occur?
hypokalemia
What lifestyle changes can the client who is at risk for HTN initiate to reduce the likelihood of becoming HTN?
- Cease cigarette smoking
- Control weight
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a low fat low cholesterol diet
What immediate actions should the nurse implement when a client is having a myocardial infarction?
- Strict bedrest to lower O2 demands
- Administer O2 by nasal cannula 2-5L/min
- Alleviate pain and anxiety
What symptoms should the nurse expect to find in a client with hypokalemia?
- Dry mouth
- Thirst
- Drowsiness and lethargy
- Muscle weakness and aches
- Tachycardia
Brady cardia is defined as a heart rate below
60
Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate above
100
What precautions should clients with valve disease take prior to invasive procedures or dental work?
Prophylactic antibiotics
Describe the nurse’s discharge instructions to a client with venous PVD
- Keep extremities elevated when sitting
- Rest at first sign of pain
- Keep extremities warm
- Change position often
- Avoid crossing legs
- Wear unrestrictive clothing
What is often the underlying cause of an abdominal aortic aneurysm
atherosclerosis
