Cardiovascular system (Heart Assessment) Flashcards
Atrioventricular (AV) valve
Tricuspid valve
Bicuspid (mitral) valve
Semilunar valve
Pulmonic valve
Aortic valve
Pathway of electrical conduction of the heart
Sinoatrial (SA) node -> Atrioventricular (AV) node -> AV bundle (bundle of his) -> Purkinje fibers
Diastole
Relaxation of the ventricles, known as filling
Systole
Contraction of the ventricles, known as emptying
Precordium
Area on anterior chest overlying heart and great vessels
Equipment
Stethoscope
Inspection of Neck vessels
Inspect jugular venous pulse
- Supine position with head position on a pillow at 30 degrees
- Pulsations may be possible
Palpation of Neck vessels
Palpate the carotid artery
- Only one at a time to avoid compromising arterial blood to brain
- Normal strength is 2+ and moderate
Palpation of Anterior Thoracic Cavity
Palpate the heart landmarks for any fasciculations or tremors
Percussion of Anterior Thoracic cavity
Percuss the heart landmarks
- Dull sound over heart
- Resonance over lungs
Auscultation of Anterior Thoracic Cavity
Auscultate the five (5) heart land marks
- Aortic area: second intercoastal space
- Pulmonic area: second intercoastal space
- Erb’s point: third intercoastal space
- Tricuspid area: fourth intercoastal space
- Mitral area (apical pulse/maximal pulse): fifth intercoastal space, midclavicular line
Normal heart sounds should be heart:
- S2: Closing of AV valves
- S1: Closing of Semilunar valves
Myocardium
Muscular part of the heart with contractile properties
Pericardium
Fibrous covering around the heart
- holds the heart in position
- visceral or epicardium covers the heart
- parietal layer
Endocardium
Consists of epithelial cells that line the heart and covers the valves
