Quiz notes - HA Exam 3

What is the approximate size of the heart?

The size of a clenched adult fist.

How does the size of a female heart compare to a male heart?

The female heart is generally smaller and weighs less.

Where is the base of the heart located?

its posterior, upper portion formed mainly by the atria

Which side of the heart is more anterior?

The right side of the heart.

What is the Point of Max Impulse (PMI)?

The area where the apical pulsation can be seen or palpated, found near the mitral valve.

What are the major venous great vessels?

Jugular veins, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and pulmonary artery.

What are the neck vessels involved in circulation?

Carotid arteries and internal/external jugular veins.

Which side of the heart is more muscular and larger?

The left side of the heart.

When do the AV valves open and close?

They open during ventricular filling and close during ventricular contraction.

What are the two types of semilunar (SL) valves?

Aortic (left) and pulmonic (right) valves.

What is the function of heart valves?

To prevent regurgitation of blood.

What supplies the left side of the heart?

The left coronary artery and circumflex artery.

What supplies the right side of the heart?

The right coronary artery.

What can develop in coronary arteries leading to myocardial infarction (MI)?

Atherosclerotic plaques that narrow the arteries.

What is the conduction system of the heart?

SA node, AV node, AV bundle, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers.

What determines the rate of ventricular contraction in a normal heart?

The firing rate of the SA node.

What do veins deliver and what do arteries carry in the heart?

Veins deliver oxygenated blood; arteries carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

What are the three phases of ventricular filling?

Early filling, slow passive filling, and atrial systole.

What is preload in the context of heart function?

The volume in the right atrium at the end of diastole.

What factors influence stroke volume?

Preload, afterload, and contractility.

What is the normal cardiac output (CO)?

6 to 8 liters per minute.

What are common signs and symptoms of heart failure?

Shortness of breath (SOB), weight gain, and swollen ankles.

What is angina pectoris?

Temporary heart pain resolving in less than 20 minutes.

What is the significance of jugular venous distention?

It indicates heart failure, tricuspid regurgitation, or fluid volume overload.

What does a bruit indicate?

Turbulent blood flow in the arteries related to atherosclerosis.

What is lymphedema?

A condition where the amount of lymph in interstitial tissue exceeds the capacity of lymphatic vessels.

What is the role of the lymphatic system?

To maintain fluid and protein balance and function with the immune system to fight infection.

What is the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) used for?

Testing for peripheral artery disease (PAD) in older individuals.

What is the orientation of the heart's sides?

The right side is more anterior, and the left side is positioned more posterior.

What are the two types of heart valves?

AV valves (tricuspid and bicuspid/mitral) and SL valves (aortic and pulmonic).

Which arteries supply the left and right sides of the heart?

Left coronary and circumflex supply the left side; right coronary artery supplies the right side.

What can develop in coronary arteries leading to heart issues?

Atherosclerotic plaques that narrow them, potentially leading to myocardial infarction (MI) or angina.

What does the SA node determine in a healthy heart?

The rate of firing determines ventricular contraction and pulse rate.

How do veins and arteries differ in blood flow?

Veins deliver oxygenated blood; arteries carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

What is the relationship between diastole and systole duration?

Diastole is twice as long as systole to allow time for the ventricles to fill.

What does S1 and S2 represent in heart sounds?

S1 indicates the beginning of ventricular systole; S2 indicates the end of systole and beginning of diastole.

What are S3 and S4 in heart sounds?

They are abnormal sounds of the heart.

What is the formula for cardiac output (CO)?

CO = HR x SV.

What is the effect of sympathetic and parasympathetic control on heart rate?

They regulate heart rate in response to stress and other variables.

What is the significance of baroreceptors in the cardiovascular system?

They regulate heart rate based on pressure in the aortic arch and carotid sinus.

What does depolarization and repolarization indicate in cardiac function?

Depolarization indicates cardiac contraction; repolarization indicates relaxation.

What can cause secondary lymphedema?

Scarring injury, removal of lymph nodes, or radiation therapy.

When is fatigue related to decreased cardiac output typically worse?

Fatigue is worse in the evening or as the day progresses.

What is the myocardium?

The myocardium is the thickest layer of the heart made up of contractile cardiac muscle cells.

What does an accentuated S2 indicate?

An accentuated S2 means that the S2 is louder than the S1, occurring in conditions with higher closing pressure in the aortic or pulmonic valve.

What does the ankle brachial index (ABI) measure?

The ABI is a non-invasive test that measures blood flow in the arms and legs by comparing systolic blood pressure in the ankle to that in the arm.

What is the difference between PAD and PVD?

PAD focuses specifically on the arteries, while PVD includes both arteries and veins.

Why should a client stand when assessing for varicose veins?

Varicose veins may not be visible when the client is supine and are more pronounced when standing.

What should be palpated if a peripheral pulse cannot be felt?

The pulse area immediately proximal to the non-palpable pulse should be palpated.

Does fluid intake impact peripheral arterial disease?

No, fluid intake has no impact on peripheral arterial disease.

What is chronic arterial insufficiency (CAI)?

CAI is a condition where arteries in the limbs become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow.

What is a third function of the lymphatic system?

The lymphatic system absorbs fats (lipids) from the small intestine into the bloodstream.

What is the role of capillaries in the circulatory system?

Capillaries deliver oxygen, water, and nutrients to the tissues.

What is characteristic of skin in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD)?

PAD often results in dry, shiny, hairless skin on the lower extremities due to decreased blood supply.

What is a characteristic of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)?

Edema is characteristic of CVI due to increased hydrostatic venous pressures.

What can cause galactorrhea in a nonpregnant female?

Galactorrhea can be caused by the intake of hormones, contraceptives, and some antipsychotic agents like haloperidol.

What are red, scaly, crusty areas indicative of?

They are indicative of Paget's disease.

What skin changes are associated with breast cancer?

Orange peel skin and nipple retraction are associated with cancer.

What constitutes the functional part of the breast?

Glandular tissue constitutes the functional part of the breast, allowing for milk production.

What provides support for the glandular tissue of the breast?

Fibrous tissue provides support for glandular tissue through bands called Cooper's ligaments.

What does an enlarged lymph node due to infection typically feel like?

It is generally hot, tender, and red.

What does premenstrual breast tenderness and lumpiness indicate?

It may indicate benign breast disease (fibrocystic breast changes) and is a normal finding.

What is a positive Murphy sign indicative of?

A positive Murphy sign indicates acute cholecystitis.

What causes acute cholecystitis?

It is typically caused by a gallstone blocking the cystic duct.

What is the appropriate sequence for abdomen assessment?

The sequence is inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation.

Why is the gallbladder not typically examined directly?

The gallbladder is deep to the liver and is normally not amenable to direct examination by auscultation, palpation, or percussion.

What does visible peristaltic waves indicate?

Visible peristaltic waves are typically not seen except in very thin individuals.

What is the peritoneum?

The peritoneum is a serous membrane that covers and holds the organs in place, containing a parietal layer.

What risk is associated with poor sanitation when consuming food?

Travel to or consuming food in an area of poor sanitation can pose a risk for contracting viral hepatitis.

What type of pain may bladder disorders cause?

Bladder disorders may cause suprapubic pain.

What happens in isolated decompensated right-sided heart failure?

The heart is unable to effectively pump blood into the pulmonary circulation, leading to elevated right atrial pressure and increased jugular venous pressure.

What is a pathologic S3 sound and what does it indicate?

A pathologic S3 may be the earliest sign of heart failure, indicating resistance of the ventricles to filling.

What is pulse deficit?

Pulse deficit is the difference between the apical and peripheral/radial pulses.

What is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)?

CVI occurs when veins can't efficiently return blood to the heart.

What causes arterial insufficiency?

Arterial insufficiency is caused by blockages or narrowing in the arteries that restrict blood flow.

How do chronic venous insufficiency and arterial insufficiency differ?

CVI involves veins struggling to return blood to the heart, while arterial insufficiency involves blockages in arteries.

What is the Virchow triad?

The Virchow triad consists of venous stasis, hypercoagulability, and vessel wall damage.

What condition does the Virchow triad contribute to the development of?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Name one component of the Virchow triad.

Venous stasis.

Name another component of the Virchow triad.

Hypercoagulability.

What is the third component of the Virchow triad?

Vessel wall damage.

Brownish discoloration just above the malleolus suggests chronic venous insufficiency.

suggests chronic venous insufficiency

The nurse should use what to palpate the breast of the client to accurately assess the breasts

the flat pads of three fingers

Within the first 2 months of pregnancy, the breasts

enlarge, nipples darken and the breast become nodular feeling due to the expanding mammary alveoli hypertrophy

The nurse should recommend avoiding excessive alcohol intake...

as this is a risk factor associated with peptic ulcer disease

RLQ pain constitutes

a positive obturator sign, suggesting an inflamed appendix or peritoneal inflammation