Chapter 17 Flashcards
Circulatory System
Also known as the cardiovascular system.
Cardiac Conduction System
Generates electrical impulses for heart function.
Conductivity
Property allowing rapid impulse conduction in heart.
Automaticity
Ability of pacemaker sites to generate impulses independently.
Sinoatrial Node
Primary pacemaker located in right atrium.
Atrioventricular Node
Secondary pacemaker activated if SA node fails.
Purkinje Fibers
Deliver impulses to heart’s contractile cells.
Contractile Cells
Heart cells responsible for muscle contraction.
Sympathetic Nervous System
Increases heart rate and contractile force.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Slows heart rate and reduces contraction force.
Atria
Upper chambers of the heart.
Ventricles
Lower chambers of the heart.
Cardiac Arrest
Sudden loss of heart function.
Defibrillation
Electrical shock to restore heart rhythm.
Superior Vena Cava
Receives deoxygenated blood from the body.
Pulmonary Arteries
Carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Pulmonary Veins
Return oxygenated blood from lungs to heart.
Tricuspid Valve
Valves between right atrium and right ventricle.
Pulmonic Semilunar Valve
Ejects blood from right ventricle to pulmonary arteries.
Right Ventricular Heart Failure
Failure of right ventricle to pump effectively.
Cor Pulmonale
Right heart failure due to lung disease.
Myocardium
Heart muscle responsible for contraction.
Epicardium
Outer layer surrounding the myocardium.
Interventricular Septum
Wall separating the left and right ventricles.
Apex
Lowest point of the heart.
Ejection Fraction
Percentage of blood pumped from ventricle per beat.
Cardiac Output
Volume of blood pumped by heart per minute.
Blood Flow Requirements
Body’s need for adequate blood circulation.
Venae Cavae
Largest veins returning deoxygenated blood to heart.
Left Atrium
Chamber receiving oxygenated blood from pulmonary veins.
Mitral Valve
Valve between left atrium and left ventricle.
Left Ventricle
Pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta.
Aortic Semilunar Valve
Valve allowing blood flow from left ventricle to aorta.
Aorta
Main artery distributing oxygenated blood to the body.
Hypertension
Condition of excessively high blood pressure.
Heart Failure
Inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood.
Pulmonary Edema
Fluid accumulation in lungs due to heart failure.
Deoxygenated Blood
Blood low in oxygen, high in carbon dioxide.
Capillaries
Thin-walled vessels for nutrient and gas exchange.
Venules
Small vessels collecting deoxygenated blood from capillaries.
Coronary Arteries
Supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle.
Right Coronary Artery
Branches off aorta, supplies right heart structures.
Left Coronary Artery
Branches off aorta, supplies left heart structures.
Anterior Descending Branch
Supplies blood to the front of the heart.
Hydrostatic Pressure
Pressure exerted by fluid in the blood vessels.
Oncotic Pressure
Pressure exerted by proteins in blood plasma.
Cardiac Rhythm Disturbances
Irregular heartbeats affecting blood circulation.
Myocarditis
Inflammation of the heart muscle.
Post-partum Cardiomyopathy
Heart failure occurring after childbirth.
External Iliac Arteries
Supply blood to the lower limbs.
Internal Iliac Arteries
Supply blood to pelvic organs.
Great Saphenous Vein
Longest vein in the body, runs along the leg.
Inferior Vena Cava
Returns deoxygenated blood from lower body to heart.
Brachial Artery
Major artery supplying the arm.
Renal Artery
Supplies blood to the kidneys.
Femoral Artery
Major artery supplying the thigh.
Heart
Muscle requiring oxygenated blood to pump effectively.
Tourniquet Analogy
Demonstrates muscle fatigue without oxygen supply.
Hypoxia
Oxygen deprivation leading to cell death.
Ischemia
Reduced blood flow causing tissue damage.
Heart Attack
Result of prolonged ischemia leading to muscle death.
Cardiac Rhythms
Electrical impulses regulating heartbeats.
Blood Components
Elements including red cells, white cells, platelets.
Serum/Plasma
Liquid portion of blood transporting formed elements.
Red Blood Cells
Carry oxygen to body tissues.
White Blood Cells
Protect body against infections.
Platelets
Cellular elements aiding in blood clotting.
Coagulation Process
Blood response to injury forming clots.
Thrombus
Clot formed in response to blood vessel injury.
Thrombin
Protein activating clot formation.
Fibrin
Protein strands strengthening blood clots.
Plaque
Fatty deposits in arteries causing blockages.
Atherosclerosis
Artery occlusion from plaque buildup.
Endothelium
Inner wall of blood vessels.
Atrial Systole
Contraction of atria ejecting blood into ventricles.
Ventricular Systole
Contraction of ventricles pumping blood out.
Diastolic Phase
Heart muscle relaxation and filling phase.
Dysrhythmias
Abnormal heart rhythms potentially causing death.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Graphic representation of heart’s electrical activity.
Depolarization
Electrical charge change causing heart contraction.
Repolarization
Return to resting charge causing heart relaxation.
P Wave
ECG waveform representing atrial depolarization.
QRS Complex
ECG component indicating ventricular contraction.
T Wave
ECG phase preparing for next heartbeat.
ECG
Graphic representation of heart’s electrical activity.
P wave
First ECG waveform; atrial depolarization.
QRS complex
Second ECG waveform; ventricular depolarization.
T wave
Third ECG waveform; ventricular repolarization.
PR interval
Time from P wave to QRS complex.
Sinoatrial node
Heart’s natural pacemaker generating impulses.
Normal sinus rhythm
Regularly spaced ECG peaks indicating heart function.
Premature ventricular complexes (PVC)
Uncoordinated ventricular electrical impulses.
Ventricular tachycardia (V-Tach)
Rapid heart rate with closely spaced peaks.
Ventricular fibrillation (V-Fib)
Disorganized electrical activity in ventricles.
Blood pressure
Pressure against arterial walls during circulation.
Systolic blood pressure
Pressure during heart contraction.
Diastolic blood pressure
Pressure when heart is at rest.
Vasoconstriction
Narrowing of blood vessels increases pressure.
Vasodilation
Widening of blood vessels decreases pressure.
Perfusion
Delivery of oxygen and nutrients to cells.
Shock
Profound depression of cell perfusion.
Hypoperfusion
Inadequate blood flow to tissues.
Hypovolemia
Low blood volume affecting circulation.
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
Narrowing and hardening of coronary arteries.
Cardiac compromise
Conditions affecting heart function and health.
Arteriosclerosis
Stiffening of arterial structures.
Endothelial injury
Damage to blood vessel lining leading to disease.
Inflammatory disease
Condition involving inflammation of blood vessels.
Risk factors for atherosclerosis
Smoking, diabetes, hypertension, LDL, HDL levels.
Intimal changes
Alterations in innermost blood vessel lining.
Smooth muscle cells
Cells in blood vessel walls contributing to contraction.
Fatty Streaks
Initial lesions in blood vessels from cell proliferation.
Fibrous Cap
Collagen covering fatty streaks, stabilizing plaque.
Thrombus
Clot that may occlude blood vessels.
Atherosclerosis
Buildup of fatty deposits in arteries.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Narrowing of coronary arteries reducing blood flow.
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)
Sudden heart conditions from artery narrowing or blockage.
Unstable Angina
Prolonged chest pain at rest or worsening symptoms.
Myocardial Ischemia
Inadequate oxygen delivery to heart muscle.
Ischemic Chest Pain
Discomfort due to heart muscle oxygen deficiency.
Angina Pectoris
Chest pain symptom associated with coronary artery disease.
Classic Angina
Occurs with increased heart workload or exertion.
Tissue Hypoxia
Oxygen deficiency in tissues, often due to ischemia.
Radiating Pain
Discomfort spreading to jaw, arms, or back.
Nitroglycerin
Medication used for angina relief.
Chest Discomfort
Patient’s term for angina, often not described as pain.
Precipitating Factors
Triggers like exertion or stress causing angina.
Duration of Angina
Typically lasts 2 to 15 minutes.
Myocardial Infarction
Heart attack due to prolonged ischemia.
Symptoms of Myocardial Infarction
Includes sweating, nausea, and prolonged discomfort.
Emergency Medical Care
Immediate treatment for angina or ACS symptoms.
Elderly Presentation
May show atypical symptoms of angina.
Nocturnal Angina
Angina that wakes the patient at night.
Chest Pain Assessment
Evaluate all chest pain as potential cardiac emergency.
Coronary Artery Spasm
Temporary tightening of coronary arteries reducing blood flow.
Emotional Stress
Can trigger angina due to increased heart demand.
Cool, Clammy Skin
Physical sign often associated with myocardial infarction.
Diaphoresis
Excessive sweating, common during cardiac events.
Epigastric Pain
Upper abdominal discomfort, sometimes mistaken for angina.
Chest Pressure
Common description of angina discomfort.
Angina
Chest pain due to reduced blood flow.
Acute Coronary Syndrome
A range of conditions associated with sudden reduced blood flow.
Positive Pressure Ventilation
Assisted breathing technique for inadequate respirations.
Pulse Oximeter
Device measuring blood oxygen saturation levels.
Dyspnea
Difficulty or labored breathing.
Hypoxemia
Low oxygen levels in the blood.
Supplemental Oxygen
Additional oxygen provided to improve oxygenation.
Nasal Cannula
Device delivering oxygen through the nostrils.
Nonrebreather Mask
Mask providing high-flow oxygen to patients.
Systolic Blood Pressure
Pressure in arteries during heartbeats.
Aspirin
Medication used to reduce blood clotting.
Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)
Heart muscle death due to oxygen deprivation.
Coronary Artery Disease
Narrowing of coronary arteries due to plaque.
Ischemia
Inadequate blood supply to an organ.
Dysrhythmias
Abnormal heart rhythms that can be fatal.
Ventricular Fibrillation
Life-threatening heart rhythm causing cardiac arrest.
Fibrinolytic Agents
Medications that dissolve blood clots.
Silent Myocardial Infarction
Heart attack without typical chest pain symptoms.
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Device used to restore normal heart rhythm.