Tests of CV function

Question 1

What is sensorium of the individual?

Answer 1

Often the first sign of a cardiac impairment is a decreased level of consciousness…. is your pt. alive? Talking? Responsive?

Question 2

What is mucous membrane color a reflection of?

Answer 2

The hemoglobin saturation in the capillary blood

Question 3

What two changes occur if cardiac function decreases and blood flow slows in the capillary beds?

Answer 3

First - hemoglobin will come into contact with tissues for an extended time
Second - a decrease in the amount of O2 delivered per minute to the tissues will result in metabolic acidosis

Question 4

What do changes in radial, femoral, and carotid pulses offer as information?

Answer 4

HR, regularity of heart rhythm, length and strength of ventricular systole, peripheral artery patency

Question 5

What may irregular heartbeats be reflected in?

Answer 5

Changes in pulse rhythmicity and pulse pressure per beat

Question 6

What may turbulent blood flow be caused by as felt as?

Answer 6

Turbulent blood flow caused by valve or septal disease may be reflected in the carotid pulses and felt as a “thrill”

Question 7

What are the heart sounds heard in a healthy adult?

Answer 7

S1 and S2

Question 8

Abnormalities of S1 and S2 could indicate disease as well as hearing what heart sound?

Answer 8

S3 or S4

Question 9

Using a 12-lead ECG what can a vectocardiogram assist one to?

Answer 9

1 - precisely locate the site of the MI
2 - diagnose conduction defects
3 - diagnose chamber hypertrophy

Question 10

What is pulse tracing?

Answer 10

The pulsation described by the flow of blood through an artery during the cardiac cycle drawn as a waveform plotting pressure against time

Question 11

What is MRI?

Answer 11

Magnetic Resonance Imaging - based on the principal that the frequency of energy (resonant frequency) given up by a nucleus is exactly proportional to the surrounding magnetic field giving spatial information that can show 3D imagery

Question 12

What is an echocardiogram?

Answer 12

An ultrasound examination of the heart

Question 13

What are Doppler studies?

Answer 13

A Doppler study is made by using a handheld microphone placed on the skin over a lubricating gel

Question 14

What is stress testing?

Answer 14

Cardiac activity examined during physical exercise with BP and a 12-lead ECG

Question 15

What does a chest x-ray show?

Answer 15

An examination of the size and contour of the heart and related structures can be made

Question 16

What are X-Rays with barium?

Answer 16

The cardiac silhouette obtained with routine cardiographic studies enhanced by the ingestion of barium as visualized in an X-Ray

Question 17

What is Atrioventricular bundle ECG?

Answer 17

This is where 2 electrode tipped catheters are inserted percutaneously into the femoral vein, floated up the inferior vena cava, and positioned in the right atrium during AV bundle electrocardiography

Question 18

What is cardiac catheterization?

Answer 18

One or both sides of the heart can be examined with sensors up either the femoral vein (for right side) or femoral artery (for left side) and pressures can be recorded, blood samples taken for O2 content, and a contrast medium is injected to visualize chamber function and valve patency

Question 19

What is coronary angiography?

Answer 19

Fluoroscopic visualization of the coronary arteries and left heart structures using contrast dyes (e.g. iodine). Uses a catheter threaded into the left ventricle via the femoral artery