Cardiovascular

What does the right atrium do?

Receives deoxygenated blood from the venae cavae.

What does the right ventricle do?

Receives blood from the right atrium to send deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

What does the left atrium do?

Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs.

What does the left ventricle do?

Receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium to send to arteries throughout the body.

Where do electrical impulses begin in the heart?

At the sinus nodes.

What happens at the atrioventricular node?

The electrical signals slow down between the atrium and ventricles to allow blood to travel.

Define automaticity in the heart.

The process that allows the myocardium to contract without nerves.

What is systolic bp?

The maximum pressure generated in the extremities during the contraction of the left ventricle.

What is diastolic pressure?

The pressure in the extremities while the left ventricle is relaxed.

Define ischemia.

A condition where cells lack the necessary nutrients due to a lack of oxygen.

Explain Atherosclerosis.

A buildup of calcium and cholesterol forms plaque within blood vessels leading to an obstruction.

Explain thromboembolism.

A blood clot that blocks a narrow part of a blood vessel.

What is a myocardial infarction?

A blood clot in the coronary artery.

Define infarction.

Death of tissue.

What is Acute Coronary Syndrome?

A group of symptoms caused by myocardial ischemia.

What is angina pectoris?

A condition where the heart's need for oxygen is higher than the amount of oxygen supplied.

List the symptoms of angina pectoris.

A crushing or squeezing chest pain, pain radiates to the jaw, arm, mid back, or the epigastrium, shortness of breath, nausea, and sweating.

How long does angina pectoris normally last and how is it treated?

3-8 minutes and supplemental oxygen.

List symptoms of AMI.

Sudden onset of nausea, vomiting, weakness, sweating, chest pain/discomfort/pressure described as squeezing/crushing, pain/discomfort/pressure in the lower jaw/arms/back/abdomen/neck, irregular heartbeat, syncope, dyspnea, and pink frothy sputum.

What is acute myocardial infarction?

A blood clot causing cell death.

Explain the physical findings of AMI: general appearance, pulse, & respiration.

General appearance: patient is scared with pale/gray/cyanotic skin with a cold sweat. Pulse: heart rate will either increase, beat irregularly, or not beat at all. Respiration: difficulty breathing, usually normal rate unless the patient has congestive heart failure.

Explain ventricular tachycardia.

A rapid heart rate between 150-200 bpm that results in an inability of the ventricles to fill with enough blood.

Explain ventricular fibrillation.

Dysrhythmia that results in the quivering of the ventricles which leads to a lack/no blood pumped to the body causing the patient to lose consciousness.

What is cardiogenic shock?

Shock originating from the heart's inability to pump enough blood for the body.

What is congestive heart failure?

The ventricular heart muscles have been damaged to the point where the atria overflow the ventricles.

List the signs & symptoms of cardiogenic shock.

Anxiety, air hunger, pale, cool, and clammy skin, elevated pulse rate, possible irregular and weak heart rate, rapid & shallow breathing, nausea, vomiting, low body temperature, and systolic bp less than 90 mm Hg.

List the signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure.

Patient breathes easier sitting up, agitation, possible chest pain, distended neck veins, possible swollen ankles, high bp, rapid hr, rapid rr, pale/cyanotic and sweaty skin, & crackles lung sounds.

How to treat cardiogenic shock?

Position of comfort, administer oxygen, ventilate if necessary, conserve body heat, & transport quickly.

How to treat congestive heart failure?

Check vitals, administer oxygen via CPAP, position the patient upright with their legs down, comfort patient, give patient nitroglycerin if it is prescribed, take their meds with you, and transport quickly.

Define dependent edema.

Fluid that pools in the body part that is closest to the ground.

What is a hypertensive emergency?

A systolic pressure that is larger than 180 mm Hg.

Symptoms of a hypertensive emergency:

Sudden severe headache, strong bounding pulse, tinnitus, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, warm skin, nosebleed, and altered mental status.

How to treat a hypertensive emergency?

Position of comfort, monitor bp every 5 minutes, elevate the head, transport quickly, and possible ALS.

What is an aortic aneurysm?

Weakness in the aorta results in dilation and an increased risk of rupture.

What is a dissecting aneurysm?

The separation of the aortic layers causing blood to flow in between them (DEADLY).

List signs and symptoms of a dissecting aneurysm.

Sudden sharp/tearing chest pain or in the back between the shoulder blades that does not change after onset and different blood pressures in each limb.