Ch15 Key Terms - Cardiovascular Emergencies

Question 1

The interruption of blood supply to part of the heart from a blocked artery, causing death of heart muscle. Also known as a heart attack.

Answer 1

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI)

Question 2

Sudden chest pain due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle; also called angina.

Answer 2

Angina pectoris

Question 3

The largest artery in the body, carries blood out of the left side of the heart to smaller arteries that travel through the entire body.

Answer 3

Aorta

Question 4

An aneurysm that occurs anywhere along the length of the aorta.

Answer 4

Aortic aneurysm

Question 5

Abnormal heart rhythm.

Answer 5

Arrhythmia

Question 6

A complete absence of a heartbeat due to a lack of electrical activity within the heart.

Answer 6

Asystole

Question 7

A form of arteriosclerosis in which cholesterol and lipid plaques form within the walls of arteries.

Answer 7

Atherosclerosis

Question 8

A medical device used to deliver an electrical shock to a patient to restore an effective heart rhythm.

Answer 8

Automated external defibrillator (AED)

Question 9

A defibrillator that recognizes common lethal heart rhythms and then delivers an electrical shock to the heart to restore an effective heart rhythm

Answer 9

Automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD)

Question 10

A procedure to revive a patient who is pulseless and not breathing.

Answer 10

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Question 11

Failure of the heart to efficiently pump blood to body tissues.

Answer 11

Congestive heart failure (CHF)

Question 12

Two arteries that come off the first part of the aorta, that provide oxygenated, nutrient rich blood to the heart muscle.

Answer 12

Coronary arteries

Question 13

Narrowing of the coronary arteries, which supply blood and oxygen to the heart muscle.

Answer 13

Coronary artery disease

Question 14

The restoration of a normal rhythm of the heart by electrical shock.

Answer 14

Defibrillation

Question 15

Abnormally high blood pressure

Answer 15

Hypertension

Question 16

Abnormally low blood pressure.

Answer 16

Hypotension

Question 17

Heart muscle tissue.

Answer 17

Myocardium

Question 18

Inflammation of the pericardium or sac surrounding the heart, causing chest pain.

Answer 18

Pericarditis

Question 19

An accumulation of fluid in the lungs.

Answer 19

Pulmonary edema

Question 20

The abrupt cessation of an effective heartbeat.

Answer 20

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)

Question 21

A device implanted into the chest that assists the heart’s ventricle circulate blood to the body.

Answer 21

Ventricular assist device (VAD)

Question 22

Rapid regular contraction of the ventricles that can lead to ineffective blood flow to body tissues and eventually cardiac arrest

Answer 22

Ventricular tachycardia (VT)