PRE WEEK Flashcards
Below are the following abbreviations for RoA, state what each stands for:
(i) IV (ii) SL (iii) NG (iv)PV (v) TOP (vi) IM (vii) SC (viii) PR (ix) INH
(i) intravenous
(ii) sublingual
(iii) nasogastric
(iv) per vagina
(v) topical
(vi) intramuscular
(vii) subcutaneous
(viii) per rectum
(ix) inhalation
Why is oral always written out in full?
as “O” could lead to ambiguities as if it is misread as a zero & placed too close to the dose this could increase the dose tenfold!
How must quantities less than 1g be written?
In milligrams
What is recorded if a pt has no known drug allergies?
NKDA
If thromboprophylaxis was required, what is the usual low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) used in NHS Fife?
Dalteparin injection
What does the Symptomatic Relief policy in NHS fife allow nurses to do?
To administer from a specified list of medicines which are used for minor symptom relief of pain, constipation, indigestion etc. This list does not include any “Prescription Only Medicines”
What are the (i) modifiable and (ii) non modifiable risk factors for establishing cardiovascular risk? (HINT: there’s 6 modifiable & 5 non-modifiable)
(i) hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, obesity, smoking, sedentary lifestyle
(ii) age, ethnicity, gender (males more than females), personal/family history of CVD, low birth weight
When taking PMH for CVD, what are the points to consider?
- History of vascular disease (coronary artery, cerebrovascular, peripheral vascular)
- Diabetes
- Hyperthyroidism
- Renal disease
- Hypertension
- Hypercholesterolaemia
When taking Family History for CVD, what are the points to consider?
- Other family members:
- health problems?
- deceased? - History of CVD at a young age?
- 1st degree male relative
What are the various causes of chest pain?
- CV causes: stable angina, acute coronary syndromes, pericarditis, coronary artery spasm, aortic aneurysm/dissection
- RESPIRATORY causes: pulmonary embolus, pneumothorax, pneumonia, lung cancer, mesothelioma
- UPPER GI causes: oesophageal disease
- MS causes: trauma, muscular or rib injury, costochondritis
- OTHER causes e.g. herpes zoster
What is angina?
A clinical syndrome of chest pain or pressure precipitated by activities such as exercise or emotional stress which increase myocardial
oxygen demand
What are the 3 key features of classical, stable angina?
- Predictable in onset
- Reproducible
- Relieved by rest or GTN (glyceryl trinitrate)
What are the types of acute coronary syndromes?
unstable angina
acute MI - non ST elevation MI (NSTEMI) - ST elevation MI (STEMI)
What are 2 other CVD causes?
- Pericarditis
- viral/MI/TB/uraemia/malignancy etc
- sharp/retrosternal pain that is relieved by sitting forwards - Aortic dissection
- sudden & severe, is a tearing & deep pain that radiates to the left shoulder/back
What is an ST segment?
The ST segment is an electrical measurement recorded by an ECG. It corresponds to the level of damage inflicted on the heart.
The higher the ST segment, the greater the likely damage.
Describe the difference between NSTEMI & STEMI.
A STEMI is the most serious type of heart attack, where there is a long interruption to the blood supply. This is caused by a total blockage of the coronary artery, which can cause extensive damage to a large area of the heart.
An NSTEMI can be less serious than a STEMI. This is because the supply of blood to the heart is only partially, rather than completely, blocked.
As a result, a smaller section of the heart is damaged
What is dyspnoea? What are 2 types of dyspnoea? What are the causes?
Shortness of breath
Orthopnoea, Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND)
1. CARDIAC causes: cardiac failure, associated with angina or MI
2. RESPIRATORY causes: asthma, COPD, pneumothorax, pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis etc
3. OTHER causes: anaemia, obesity, hyperventilation, anxiety, metabolic acidosis
Describe the various arrhythmias listed below (i) ventrical or atrial extrasystoles (ii) atrial fibrillation (iii) supraventricular tachycardia (iv) ventricular tachycardia
(i) heart misses a beat or jumps/flutters
(ii) may be unnoticed, heart jumping about or racing
associated breathlessness
(iii) heart ‘racing’ or ‘fluttering’, associated polyuria
(iv) heart racing or fluttering, associated breathlessness, may present as syncope rather than palpitations
What is syncope?
a temporary loss in consciousness caused by a fall in BP
What are the causes of (i) bilateral (ii) unilateral oedema?
(i) cardiac failure, chronic venous insufficiency, hepatic/renal pathology, medication side effect, pelvic mass, immobility etc
(ii) DVT, soft tissue infection, trauma, lymphatic obstruction etc
Describe the origin, insertion & action of (i) pectoralis major (ii) pectoralis minor (iii) latissimus dorsi (iv) serratus anterior
(i) clavicle, costal cartilages & sternum to humerus
- shoulder flexion & adduction
(ii) ribs 3,4 and 5 to coracoid
- stabilises scapula & is a landmark for axillary artery & brachial plexus
(iii) iliac crest, lower thoracic & lumbar vertebrae to humerus
- shoulder extension & adduction
(iv) upper (8) ribs to medial border of scapula
- scapular protraction & rotation in shoulder abduction
What is the blood supply & lymph drainage of the breast?
BS = axillary & internal thoracic arteries lymph = axillary & int thoracic nodes
What are the 3 levels used to describe the severity of tumour spread in the axillary nodes?
LEVEL 1 anterior/pectoral group (lateral to pec minor)
LEVEL 2 central group (deep to pec minor)
LEVEL 3 apical group (medial to pec minor)
What organs does the thoracic wall “protect”?
heart & great vessels Lungs & major airways Liver Stomach Spleen Kidneys
Describe the (i) pump-handle movement (ii) Bucket-handle movement.
(i) rib elevation to push the sternum up & forward to increase thoracic A-P diameter
(ii) additional increase in lateral diameter caused by rub eversion
What accessory muscles are used & when are the used for respiration?
Big muscles that attach to the head & ULs, as well as the abdominal wall muscles
Used when more power is required
What is the inlet & outlet of the thorax & abdomen?
THORAX inlet = neck outlet = diaphragm ABDOMEN inlet = diaphragm outlet = pelvic diaphragm
Describe the thoracic inlet.
a ring of bone & cartilage
T1, 1st ribs & CCs
manubrium
- it slopes antero-inferiroly to T2/3
Where does the apex of the lung extend to?
upwards to the level of T1 & the neck of the 1st rib
i.e. 2-3cm above the anterior part of the 1st rib & clavicle
From anterior to posterior, list the structures that pass between the thorax & UL that lie on the 1st rib.
subclavian vein
scalenus anterior
subclavian artery
inferior trunk of the brachial plexus
What structures pass between the thorax & neck?
vessels that supply & drain the head & neck
trachea
oesophagus
nerves (R&L vagus, R&L phrenic)
What does the thoracic outlet consist of?
T12
12th and 11th ribs
costal cartilages of ribs 10 9 8 7
xiphoid cartilage (roughly opposite T9/10)