Concepts of Care for Patients with Cardiac Problems

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to cardiac care concepts, focusing on definitions and explanations of terms related to heart failure, assessments, and treatments.

Cardiac Output

The volume of blood the heart pumps per minute.

Heart Failure (CHF)

A condition where the heart muscle is unable to pump efficiently, leading to inadequate cardiac output.

Myocardial Hypertrophy

The thickening of the heart muscle, often as a response to increased workload.

Pulmonary Congestion

Excess fluid in the lungs due to heart failure, leading to symptoms like dyspnea and coughing.

Dyspnea

Shortness of breath, often experienced in patients with heart failure.

B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Test

A blood test used to diagnose heart failure by measuring levels of BNP in the bloodstream.

Left Sided Heart Failure

A type of heart failure where the left ventricle doesn't pump effectively, leading to inadequate tissue perfusion.

Right Sided Heart Failure

A type of heart failure characterized by inadequate output from the right ventricle, causing systemic venous congestion.

Fluid and Sodium Restriction

A dietary intervention to help manage heart failure by reducing fluid retention.

Inotropic Agents

Medications that increase the strength of heart contractions to improve cardiac output.

Pericardiocentesis

A medical procedure that involves inserting a needle into the pericardial sac to remove excess fluid.

Pulsus Paradoxus

An abnormal decrease in blood pressure during inhalation; a clinical sign of cardiac tamponade.

Infective Endocarditis

An infection of the heart's inner lining, often affecting people with certain risk factors.

Prophylactic Antibiotics

Antibiotics given to prevent infection, often prior to invasive procedures in at-risk patients.

Pericarditis

Infection or inflammation of the pericardium, often following respiratory infection or myocardial infarction.

Jugular Vein Distention

A condition where the jugular veins are visibly bulging due to increased venous pressure, often seen in heart failure.

Cardiac Tamponade

A medical emergency caused by fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac, leading to compromised heart function.