Inflammatory/Structural Heart Disorders Flashcards
What is the Endocardium?
- The endocardium is the innermost layer of the heart.
- It lines the inside of the heart chambers and covers the heart valves.
- Think of it as a smooth, protective coating that helps blood flow easily inside the heart.
- It also plays a role in the heart’s electrical system, which controls your heartbeat.
Infection of the endocardial layer of the heart
INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS (IE)
IE is almost always caused bY
bacterial infection
2 most common organisms to cause IE are
- Staphyloccus aureus (skin)
- Streptoccus viridians (mouth, resp, GI, GU tracts)
What are the primary sites where bacteria establish infection in endocarditis?
Bacteria need these 2 things
- Previously damaged areas of the endocardium
- Artificial surfaces (e.g., prosthetic valves)
(these creates a rough surface making it easy for bacteria to latch on)
know
Irregular growths made of bacteria and cell pieces (fibrin, leukocytes, platelets) form ___.
vegetations
Pieces of the vegetations that break off and enter the systemic circulation
Emboli
Systemic emboli are going to move ___ in the circulation.
DISTALLY- with the flow of blood, not backwards!! –
causing blockages in arteries downstream from where they broke loose.
Main 3 symptoms for Infective Endocarditis
- Fever
- murmurs **
- Clubbing of fingers
know
Further assessment for endocarditis should include
listening to heart sounds to assess for NEW or WORSENING MURMURS (wooshing sounds)
What signs might be present if embolization has occurred?
The clinical signs depend on the organ or tissue affected by the embolus.
What patients are at higher risk for INFECTIVE ENDOCARTDITIS?
List 6
- Aging ( > 50% of older people have calcified aortic stenosis)
- IVDA (Intravenous Drug Abuse)
- Use of prosthetic valves
- Intravascular (IV) devices (Central lines, Implanted ports, etc.)
- Renal Dialysis
- Previous cardiac disease
know
Know the 6 signs of a STROKE
BE FAST
* Balance difficulties
* Eyesight changes
* Face weakness
* Arm weakness
* Speech difficulties
* Time- Call 911
Another term for Stroke
CEREBRAL VASCULAR ACCIDENT
S/S if vegetation is present ONLY on the LEFT SIDE of heart
List 5
- Petechiae
- Splinter Hemorrhages
- Osler’s Nodes
- Janeway’s Lesions
- Roth’s Spots
know
Small areas of bleeding under fingernails or toenails.
What am I?
Splinter Hemorrhage
(Damage to capillaries caused by small emboli)
Flat, painless red spots on palms and
soles
Janeway Lesions
Painful, pea-sized, red or purple
lesions on fingers or toes
Osler’s Nodes
Hemorrhagic retinal lesions
Roth’s Spots
How will we diagnose Infective Endocarditis?
2 main DX
- Blood cultures (most likely positive)
- Echocardiography
know
IE EKG findings would most likely read
afib or heart blocks
Tx for IE will include
List 4
- Antibiotics (usually Long-term)
- Fungal infective endocarditis (treat with anti-fungals)
- Associated fever: treated with fluids, rest, and acetaminophen
- replace infected prosthetic valves- surgically
Do we give Anticoags for IE?
No- it practically does nothing.
* will NOT break down vegetation
* bacterial clump is NOT a blood clot
A patient with a history of Infective Endocarditis (IE) is being discharged. What education should the nurse provide to ensure the patient prevents future complications?
List 6
- Avoid contact with individuals who are sick to reduce the risk of infection.
- Importance of communicating hx of IE to future healthcare providers (MD’s, DDS, etc)
- Monitor for s/s of infection such as fever, heart failure, or emboli.
- Teach importance of adherence to treatment regimen
- Schedule follow-up echocardiograms after completing the course of antibiotics.
- Possible bedrest or acitivity limitations
A condition caused by inflammation of the pericardial sac (the pericardium), which may occur in an acute or chronic form.
Pericarditis
What symptom do patients most often present with in Acute Pericarditis
frequent, severe, sharp chest pain
- bc of inflammation, the pericardium layers rub on each other or other surrounding parts causing the pain.
How to alleviate pain for patients with Acute Pericarditis?
Sitting up and leaning forward often relieves pain
How do you differentiate Pericarditis and MI?
Nothing alleviates pain for MI
A patient presents with chest pain, and the nurse suspects pericarditis. What is the hallmark finding that would support this diagnosis?
A. Elevated blood pressure
B. Pericardial friction rub
C. Decreased breath sounds
D. Jugular vein distention
B. Pericardial friction rub
scratching, grating, high-pitched sound
know
A patient is being assessed for chest pain, and the nurse is trying to differentiate between pericardial friction rub and pleural friction rub. Which statement correctly describes a key difference between the two types of friction rubs?
A. A pericardial friction rub will disappear when the patient holds their breath, while a pleural friction rub will persist.
B. A pleural friction rub will disappear when the patient holds their breath, while a pericardial friction rub will persist.
C. Both pericardial and pleural friction rubs will disappear when the patient holds their breath.
D. Neither pericardial nor pleural friction rubs will change when the patient holds their breath.
B. A pleural friction rub will disappear when the patient holds their breath, while a pericardial friction rub will persist.
(pleural = lungs ; pericardial = heart)
EKG finding on Pericarditis
Diffuse (all over) ST Segment ELEVATIONS
- ST Segment should be isoelectric
(troponin levels high)
Abnormal collection of fluid in the pericardial sac
What am I?
Pericardial Effusion
FIRST step to treat Pericardial Effusion?
Treat whatever is causing the pericardial effusion FIRST
(Example: if pericarditis is causing p.effusion, treat pericarditis first)
Compression of the heart that results as pericardial fluid volume continues to increase. Restricts the heart from stretching.
What am I?
Cardiac Tamponade
(ALWAYS a medical emergency- can kill pt)
S/S of cardiac tamponade
- Patient may report chest pain
- confused, anxious, and restless
- tachypnea
- tachycardia
- JVD
Beck’s Triad= Distant/muffled heart sounds, JVD, Hypotension
As a nurse, how would you help your pt alleviate Cardiac Tamponade s/s?
Nurse arent able to do anything for Tamponade. We need to get Dr involved so they can perform PERICARDIOCENTESIS.- surgically remove fluid
What 4 meds are available to manage/treat Pericarditis
Management is aimed at treating underlying cause
- NSAIDS – used to control pain and inflammation
- Indomethacin, aspirin, ibuprofen
-
Colchicine – anti-inflammatory drug often used for gout – used for recurrent
pericarditis -
Corticosteroids – used if cause is rheumatologic or autoimmune
-Avoided if possible due to multiple side effects - its an immunosupressant - Antibiotics- treats bacterial pericarditis9
What are the FIRST meds you will use for Pericarditis?
NSAIDs and Colchecine
You are caring for a patient with pericarditis. Which of the following interventions are most appropriate for managing their condition?
Select all that apply:
A. Position the patient in a high Fowler’s or tripod position to facilitate pain relief and optimize respiratory mechanics.
B. Initiate oxygen therapy (if indicated) and closely monitor pulse oximetry and arterial blood gases (ABGs) to assess and manage oxygenation status.
C. Implement strategies for pain and anxiety control, including instructing the patient to sit up and lean forward and applying chest splinting techniques as necessary.
D. Educate the patient on their condition and treatment plan.
E. Advise the patient to lie flat to maximize lung expansion, despite the risk of exacerbating pain and discomfort.
A. Position the patient in a high Fowler’s or tripod position to facilitate pain relief and optimize respiratory mechanics.
B. Initiate oxygen therapy (if indicated) and closely monitor pulse oximetry and arterial blood gases (ABGs) to assess and manage oxygenation status.
C. Implement strategies for pain and anxiety control, including instructing the patient to sit up and lean forward and applying chest splinting techniques as necessary.
D. Educate the patient on their condition and treatment plan.
NOT E.
Location of pericarditis pain
- Precordium or left trapezius ridge
* has a sharp, pleuritic quality that increases with inspiration
- Precordium or left trapezius ridge
Diffuse (entire) inflammation of the myocardium (heart muscle)
What am I?
Myocarditis
Myocarditis is often present concurrently with what two other conditions
pericarditis and endocarditis
(s/s vary for myocarditis)
Myocarditis:
EARLY cardiac signs mimic ___.
Pericarditis
* pleuritic chest pain, fricition rub, effusion
Late cardiac signs mimic ___.
Heart Failure