Diseases Flashcards
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) (Etiology)
Narrowing of the coronary arteries causing reduced blood flow to the heart muscle (A patient has CAD if they have a PMHx of Angina, MI, CABG, Cardiac stents, or Angioplasty)
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) (risk factors)
HTN,HLD, DM, Smoking, Family history of CAD/MI <55 y/o
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) (Chief Complaint)
Angina: Exertional chest pain or chest pressure
Modifying Factors: Worse with exertion, improved with rest and/or nitroglycerin
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) (Associated Sx)
Shortness of breath
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) (Medications)
Nitroglycerin (NTG) to manage angina, Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA) to decrease the chance of a blockage
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) (Diagnosed by)
Cardiac catheterization (CAD cannot be diagnosed in the ED)
Myocardial Infarction (MI) (Etiology)
Acute blockage the coronary arteries causing ischemia or infarct to the heart muscle (Document ED arrival time, EKG time, ASA time, cath lab departure time. STEMI patients must get to Cath-lab within 90 minutes of arrival)
Myocardial Infarction (MI) (risk factors)
CAD, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Diabetes Mellitus, Smoker, FHx of CAD <55 y.o.
Myocardial Infarction (MI) (Chief Complaint)
Chest pain or chest pressure
Modifying Factors: Worse with exertion, improved with rest and/or nitroglycerin
Myocardial Infarction (MI) (Associated Sx)
Diaphoresis, Nausea/Vomiting, and Shortness of breath
Myocardial Infarction (MI) (Medication)
Acetylsalicylic Acid (aspirin or ASA) , Nitroglycerin (NTG ), Thrombolytic (Heparin)
Myocardial Infarction (MI) (Diagnosed by)
STEMI: diagnosed by EKG (may also have an elevated troponin) Non-STEMI: diagnosed by elevated troponin
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) (Etiology)
The heart becomes enlarged, inefficient, and congested with excess fluid.(If patient has CHF history, document their current dosage of Lasix. Search echocardiograms and document the cardiac output (EF or ejection fraction) and cardiac valve function.)
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) (Risk Factors)
History of CHF, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Diabetes Mellitus, Kidney Disease, Smoking
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) (Chief Complaint)
Shortness of Breath - Modifying Factors: Worse with lying flat (Orthopnea), Worse with exertion (Dyspnea on Exertion), and Episodically worse at night - Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND)
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) (Associated Sx)
Bilateral lower extremity swelling, fatigue, cough
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) (Medications)
Diuretics (Lasix/Furosemide) → Urinate extra fluid
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) (Physical Exam)
Rales (Crackles) in lungs, Jugular Vein Distension (JVD), Pedal edema
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) (Diagnosed by)
CXR and elevated BNP (B-type Natriuretic Peptide)
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) (Etiology)
Electrical abnormalities in the “wiring” of the heart causes the top of the heart (atria) to quiver abnormally (ED concern is Rapid Ventricular Response RVR which is Afib with a rate greater than 100 bpm). Patients who have AFib are at increased risk for developing blood clots and often take a blood thinner.)
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) (Risk Factors)
Paroxysmal A Fib, Chronic A Fib, Alcoholism
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) (Chief Complaint)
Palpitations (Fast, Pounding, Irregular)
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) (Associated Sx)
Global Weakness, Fatigue, Lightheadedness
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) (Medication)
Coumadin/Warfarin (Blood thinner) and Digoxin (Slows down heart rate)
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) (Physical Exam)
Irregularly irregular rhythm
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) (Diagnosed by)
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) (Etiology)
A blood clot becomes lodged in the pulmonary artery and blocks blood flow to the lungs (A Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in an extremity (not in the lungs). Symptoms of a
DVT include extremity pain and swelling and has the same risk factors as a PE. A DVT is diagnosed by and ultrasound of that extremity)
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) (Risk Factors)
Known DVT, PMHx of DVT or PE, FHx, Recent surgery, Cancer, A-Fib, Immobility, Pregnancy, BCP (birth control pills), Smoking
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) (Chief Complaint)
Chest Pain
Modifying Factor: Worse with deep breaths (pleuritic)
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) (Associated Sx)
Shortness of breath. Patients often are hypoxic (low oxygen saturation), tachycardic (elevated heart rate)
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) (Diagnosed by)
Screening tool: D-Dimer
Diagnostic tool: CTA Chest (CT Chest w/ IV Contrast)
Pneumonia (PNA) (Etiology)
Infiltrate (bacterial infection) and inflammation inside the lung (Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) protocol requires documenting Antibiotics (Abx), Vital Signs, SaO2, Mental status, and Blood cultures)
Pneumonia (PNA) (Risk Factors)
Elderly, Bedridden, Immunocompromised, Recent chest injury, Recent surgery
Pneumonia (PNA) (Chief Complaint)
Productive Cough
Pneumonia (PNA) (Associated Sx)
Shortness of breath, fever, chest pain
Pneumonia (PNA) (Medications)
Rocephin and Zithromax (Antibiotics)
Pneumonia (PNA) (Physical Exam )
Rhonchi
Pneumonia (PNA) (Diagnosed by)
Chest X-Ray (CXR)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (Etiology)
Long-term damage to the lungʼs alveoli (emphysema) along with inflammation and mucus production (chronic bronchitis) (Document the patientʼs baseline O2 requirement)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (Risk Factors)
Single greatest risk factor is Smoking (80-90% of all cases)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (Chief Complaint)
Shortness of breath
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (Associated Sx)
Wheezing, Cough, Chest tightness
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (Treatment)
Bronchodilators, Supplemental oxygen, Corticosteroids, Ventilatory support
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (Physical Exam)
Decreased breath sounds, wheezes
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (Diagnosed by)
Acute infections are a very common cause for a COPD Exacerbation. For this reason, a CXR may be ordered to rule out PNA. Otherwise COPD is not diagnosed in the ED.
Asthma (Etiology)
Constricting of the airway due to inflammation and muscular contraction of the bronchioles, known as a “bronchospasm” (Be sure to document the patientʼs oxygen saturation. If the patient becomes hypoxic, they may require supplemental oxygen or additional interventions.)
Asthma (Risk Factors)
Personal or familial history of asthma, smoking, occupational exposures, obesity, allergies
Asthma (Chief Complaint)
Shortness of breath
Modifying factors: Improved with “breathing treatments”, exacerbated by certain triggers
Asthma (Associated Sx)
Wheezing
Asthma (Treatment)
Bronchodilators, Corticosteroids, Inhalers (inhaled corticosteroids) or nebulizers
Asthma (Physical Exam)
Wheezes (Inspiratory or Expiratory)
Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) (Etiology) (Document the date and time they were “last known well” (at baseline) as well as the source of this information. This is used to assess eligibility for tPA. Also, document tPA considered and if it was not indicated due to:
● Onset greater than 3 hours or Unknown/Unreliable time of onset
● Symptoms are rapidly improving)
Blockage of the arteries supplying blood to the brain resulting in permanent brain damage
Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) (Risk Factors)
HTN, HLD, DM, hx TIA/CVA, Smoking, FHx CVA, AFIB
Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) (Chief Complaint)
Unilateral focal neurological deficits: One-sided weakness/numbness or changes in speech/vision
Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) (Medications)
tPA (thrombolytic) will be administered if the patient meets the criteria