Chapter 16 Cardiovascular Emergencies Flashcards
Deoxygenated blood from the body returns to the:
Right atrium
Angina pectoris occurs when:
Myocardial oxygen demand exceeds supply
The electrical impulse generated by the heart originates in the:
Sinoatrial node
A patient with atherosclerotic heart disease experiences chest pain during exertion because:
The lumen of the coronary artery is narrowed and cannot accommodate increased blood flow
What is a risk factor for AMI that cannot be controlled?
Family history
Signs and symptoms of a hypertensive emergency would most likely be delayed in patients who:
Have chronic hypertension
A 49-year-old male presents with an acute onset of crushing chest pain and diaphoresis. You should first:
Assess the adequacy of his respirations
A patient in cardiac arrest is wearing an external defibrillator vest, which is interfering with effective chest compressions. The EMT should:
Remove the battery from the monitor, and then remove the vest
A dissecting aortic aneurysm occurs when:
The inner layers of the aorta become separated
66-year-old female with a history of hypertension and diabetes presents with substernal chest pressure of two hours duration. Her blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg, her pulse is 100 beats/min and irregular, her respirations are 22 breaths/min, and her oxygen saturation is 92%. The patient does not have prescribed nitroglycerin, but her husband does. You should:
Administer oxygen, give her 324 mg of aspirin, and assess her further
Nitroglycerin is contraindicated in patients who:
Have experienced a head injury
Have taken three doses
With a systolic blood pressure less than 100
On any ED medications
When preparing to obtain a 12 lead ECG, the LL and RL electrodes should be placed:
On the thighs or ankles
A patient tells you that he has and a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). What’s a condition you should suspect that he has experienced?
Acute myocardial infarction
The EMT should use an AED on a child between one month and eight years of age if:
Pediatric pads and an energy reducing device are available
Most AEDs are set up to adjust the voltage based on impedance, which is the:
Resistance of the body to the flow of electricity
After the AED has delivered a shock, the EMT should:
Immediately resume CPR
You and your partner arrived at the scene of a middle aged man who collapsed about five minutes ago. He is unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless. Bystanders are present, but have not provided any care. You should
Begin high-quality CPR and apply an AED as soon as possible
Prior to attaching the AED to a cardiac arrest patient, the EMT should:
Dry the chest if it is wet
What is a sign commonly observed in patients with right sided heart failure?
Dependent edema
The only vein(s) in the body that carries oxygenated blood is/are:
Pulmonary veins
When, for a brief period of time, heart tissues do not get enough oxygen, the pain is called:
Angina
Cardiogenic shock can occur within 24 hours of a(n):
Acute myocardial infarction
At 0500 hours, you respond to the home of a 76-year-old man complaining of chest pain. Upon arrival, the patient states that he had been sleeping in the recliner all night due to indigestion, when the pain woke him up. He also tells you he has taken two nitroglycerin tablets. His vital signs are as follows: respirations, 16 breaths/min; pulse, 98 beats/min; blood pressure, 92/76 mmHg. He is still complaining of chest pain. What actions should you take to intervene?
Provide high flow oxygen
Administer 324 mg of asprin
_____ allows a cardiac muscle cells to contract spontaneously without a stimulus from a nerve source.
Automaticity
_____ are inserted when the electrical control system of the heart is so damaged that it cannot function properly.
Pacemakers
In general, a maximum of _____ dose(s) of nitroglycerin is given for anyone episode of chest pain.
Three
About _____ minute(s) after blood flow is cut off, some heart muscle cells begin to die.
30
_____ is the maximum pressure exerted by the left ventricle as it contracts.
Systolic blood pressure
What is calcium and cholesterol buildup inside blood vessels called?
Atherosclerosis
What is the ischemia defined as?
Lack of oxygen
What is an infarction?
Obstruction of the blood supply to an organ or region of tissue, typically by a thrombus or embolus, causing local death of the tissue
Define thromboembolism
A blood clot floating through blood vessels until it reaches a narrow area and blocks blood flow
Your patient has CHF and presents with severe respiratory distress. What are some signs and symptoms you would likely see?
Jugular Vein Distension (JVD)
Dependent edema
Tachycardia
Dyspnea
What is a myocardial infarction?
Heart muscle death from restricted blood flow (heart attack)
What is angina pectoris?
Chest pain from the heart tissues not getting enough oxygen
What are some risk factors for heart disease?
High BP Smoking Diabetes Obesity Family history
Define atherosclerosis (coronary heart disease)
Calcium and cholesterol buildup (plaque) inside the blood vessels causing partial or complete occlusion of the lumen
What are some signs/symptoms of a patient who is possibly experiencing a myocardial infarction?
Abnormal heart beat Dyspnea Diaphoresis Nausea Chest pain
Why do patients experiencing a MI, with no underlying pulmonary system compromise, often complain that they feel short of breath?
Blood is not adequately delivered to the tissues so breathing becomes rapid to eliminate excess CO2
What is ventricular tachycardia (V-tach)?
Electrical activity starts in the ventricle instead of the atrium (can’t fill with blood)
What is Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib)?
Disorganized, ineffective quivering of the ventricles; no blood is pumped
What is asystole?
Absence of all heart electrical activity (flatline)
What is dependent edema?
Collection of fluid in the body closest to the ground
What are some signs/symptoms of a hypertensive emergency?
Sudden severe headache
Strong bounding pulse
Ringing in the ears
Nausea and vomiting
What might a patient experience if their pacemaker does not function properly?
Syncope
Dizziness
Weakness
Pulse >60 bpm
