Natural Deaths: Cardiac

Question 2

Myocardial Infarction (RC)

Answer 2

(aka heart attack) occurs when blood flow in the heart is blocked and reduced.

Question 3

Infarction (RC)

Answer 3

injury or death of tissue as a result of inadequate blood flow supply

Question 4

Stenosis (RC)

Answer 4

this means “narrowing”
it can be due to blocked or calcification of arteries

Question 5

True or False:
Cardiac disease only strikes older people (RC)

Answer 5

False
Cardiac disease can strike old and young people

Question 6

What are some common causes of heart disease? (RC)

Answer 6

smoking, obesity, genetics, and diabetes

Question 7

Ischemia (HC)

Answer 7

blood flow of tissue decreased; can lead to infarction

Question 8

What is the most common reason for death in the United States? (HC)

Answer 8

cardiac disease

Question 9

Disrhythmia (HC)

Answer 9

improper beating of the heart; can be slow or fast

Question 10

Hypertrophy (HC)

Answer 10

increase in the size of an organ or structure

Question 11

Atherosclerosis (HC)

Answer 11

the build up of plaque inside arteries; causes CAD

Question 12

Cardiac symptoms in the body? (RR)

Answer 12

Head or jaw pain
Chest pain or heartburn
Nausea or vomiting
Sudden urge or incontinence

Question 13

Hemopericardium (RR)

Answer 13

Presence of blood within the pericardial sac: can lead to a cardiac tamponade

Question 14

Coronary artery thrombosis (RR)

Answer 14

Blood clot that forms in the blood vessels of the heart

Question 15

Aortic aneurysm (RR)

Answer 15

A bulging of the wall of the aorta; can rupture if large enough

Question 16

Skin mottling (RR)

Answer 16

Seen often in hospice settings in the hours or days before death

Question 17

what is myocardial fibrosis? (EMM)

Answer 17

scar tissue formed in the heart as a result of hypertension, inflammation or ischemia

Question 18

Cardiac symptom in lower extremities? (EMM)

Answer 18

Edema, poor circulation signs (pitting and non-pitting)

Question 19

Coronary artery thrombosis? (EMM)

Answer 19

Blood clot in the blood vessels of the heart

Question 20

thrombosis vs embolism (EMM)

Answer 20

Thrombosis- formation of a clot that reduces blood flow in vessel

Embolism- when a piece of a blood clot or foreign material moves with blood flow, eventually causing blockage

Question 21

This condition is linked to sudden cardiac death on young people (EMM)

Answer 21

hyertrophic cardiomyopathy

Question 22

What are some things that should be documented? TM

Answer 22

Medical debris from EMT/police
Past medical history and social history
Prescriptions( including dosage, fill date, and pill count) .

Question 23

What are some findings of circumstances that suggest a cardiac death?
(TM)

Answer 23

If the person died in the bathroom, usually have sudden urge to have a bowl movement. Swelling of vessels in the neck, and fluid overload in the body.

Question 24

Skin mottling is often seen where?
(TM)

Answer 24

Often seen in hospice settings hours or days before death.

Question 25

What is the name of the most common heart arrhythmia that involves an irregular and often fast heartbeat.

Answer 25

Artial fibrillation

Question 26

What is the tugging at the strings of the heart called? (TM)

Answer 26

Chordae tendineae

Question 27

What is the most common reason for deaths in the united states?(TJ)

Answer 27

Cardiac Disease

Question 28

Who is more likely to die from a cardiac death, men or women?(TJ)

Answer 28

Men

Question 29

What is the most common type of heart disease?(TJ)

Answer 29

Coronary Artery Disease

Question 30

What should be considered when handling a sudden cardiac death?(TJ)

Answer 30

What the decedent was doing prior to their death? ie. were they exercising, on the phone, etc.

Question 31

What is jugular vein distention?(TJ)

Answer 31

Swelling of the Jugular Vein.