Pathophys Cardiac Exam Questions

Question 1

difference between primary HTN and secondary HTN?

Answer 1

secondary has a specific case such as renal artery stenosis

Question 2

What is Cardiomyopathy?

Answer 2

dysfunction in size and structure relating to the hearts ability to deliver blood to the rest of the body
3 types for us to know: Hypertrophic , Restrictive, Dilated
clinical manifestations: potentially nothing, but can lead to dyspnea, SOB, heart valve issues, abnormal cardiac rhythms, chest pain
Diagnostics: echocardiogram
complications: death, cardiac rhythms or heart failure

Question 3

How do you calculate the ejection fraction?

Answer 3

end-diastolic volume - end systolic volume / end diastolic volume

example 120 - 90 = 30 . 30/120 = 25%

if it is less than 40%, then it is HFREF

Question 4

Classifications of Heart Failure with Left Ventricular Eject Fraction

Answer 4

HFrEF = LVEF <= 40%
HFimpEF = previous LVEF <=40%, follow up >40%
HFmrEF = LVEF 41%-49%
HFpEF = LVEF >= 50%

Question 5

systolic = squeezing diastolic == filling

Answer 5

:)

Question 6

systolic heart failure

Answer 6

inability of the heart to pump blood

Question 7

diastolic heart failure

Answer 7

not as much volume can fill in the heat

Question 8

what are the two things happening with left sided heart failure?

Answer 8

backup of fluid in the lungs, and decreased perfusion to the body

manifestations:
Dyspnea, confusion, cyanosis, pulmonary crackles, tachypnea, blood tinged sputum, fatigue

Question 9

right sided heart failure

Answer 9

1)decrease in blood delivered to the pulmonary circulation
2)backup of blood into the right atrium and venous systemic circulation
3)right atrial and ventricular enlargement

manifestations include:
JVD, GI Disturbances, Hepatomegaly, Splenomegaly, peripheral edema

primarily caused from:
left sided heart failure
right ventricular myocardial infarction

Question 10

ascites

Answer 10

fluid collects in spaces in your abdomen, seen in right sided heart failure

Question 11

initial heart failure compensation mechanisms

Answer 11

1) sympathetic nervous system stimulation, stimulation of RAAS, Natriuretic Peptides, Frank Starling Law

Question 12

Frank Starling Law

Answer 12

a stretched muscle (increase in ventricular filling) will squeeze more (enhance systolic performance) and have higher output, but only up to a point (it will fail eventually)

Question 13

Pericarditis can cause pericardial effusion. What life threatening condition can that lead to?

Answer 13

Cardiac Tamponade = accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sack

Question 14

what should you look for if you see
-low blood pressure
-JVD
-decreased or muffled heart sounds on auscultation

Answer 14

That is Beck’s Triad
this could be Cardiac Tamponade

Question 15

What are common causes of pericarditis?

Answer 15

surgery (coronary bypass especially), viruses, infection,

Question 16

stenosis

Answer 16

narrowing

Question 17

Can valve issues cause arrythmias?

Answer 17

yes

Question 18

5 Valvular Disorders: aortic valve stenosis

Answer 18

*patho: valve related outflow obstruction of the left ventricle
leads to an increase in left ventricular pressure and hypertrophy
*blood back up in the Left ventricle
*concerns: heart initially adapts but stenosis worsens over time leading to reduced cardiac output

Question 19

A PDA will cause a shunt resulting in less oxygenated blood going to the body from the heart

Answer 19

yes

Question 20

an atrial septal defect will normally result in:

Answer 20

a left to right shunt
because the left side of the heart has a lot more pressure

Question 21

What are examples of supraventricular tachycardias?

Answer 21

Atrial Flutter and Atrial Fibrillation

Question 22

ventrical dysrhythmias

Answer 22

ventricular tachycardia
ventricular fibrillation

Question 23

characteristics of Atrial Fibrillation (A-FIB)

Answer 23

“irregularly irregular”
rapid disorganized atrial activity
what happens: blood is not pushed out all the way, so it is vulnerable to clotting–> risk for stroke, pulmonary edema

Question 24

5 valvular disorders: Aortic valve regurgitation

Answer 24

backflow resulting in volume overload in the left ventricle
increase in end-diastolic volume
blood back up: Left ventricle
concerns: eventually the heart cant compensate and this leads to heart failure

Question 25

5 valvular disorders: Mitral Valve Stenosis

Answer 25

patho: impaired flow from left atrium to left ventricle
blood back up: left atrium
concerns: dysrhythmias such as atrial fib, pulmonary HTN, pulmonary edema

Question 26

5 valvular disorders: Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Answer 26

patho: backflow from left ventricle to left atrium during ventricular systole
blood back up: left atrium
concerns: atrial fibrillation and eventual increase in pulmonary pressures

Question 27

5 valvular disorders: Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation

Answer 27

patho: blood will backflow from the right ventricle into the right atria
blood back up in the right atrium
concerns: may be caused by dilation and failure of the right ventricle

Question 28

thrombophlebitis vs thromboembolus

Answer 28

thrombophlebitis is a blood clot with vessel inflammation
a thromboembolus is a traveling blood clot