Cardiovascular Nursing Vocabulary

Practice flashcards covering key terms, heart sounds, biomarkers, equations, and clinical signs from the cardiovascular lecture notes.

Orthopnea

Inability to breathe comfortably when lying flat.

Capillary Refill $\le 2\,\text{sec}$

Expected or normal capillary refill time.

SCDs / Exercises

Interventions used to increase venous return and prevent DVT.

Claudication

Leg pain with activity associated with arterial insufficiency.

MI (Myocardial Infarction)

Irreversible heart muscle death.

S1 Sound

Sound created when the mitral and tricuspid valves close.

Emergency Warning Signs

New chest/arm/neck/jaw discomfort, abnormal rhythm, fainting, or severe extremity pain with pallor.

Perfusion

Blood reaching tissues.

Bruit

Vascular sound that you hear upon auscultation.

Diastole

Phase of the cardiac cycle where the heart relaxes and fills.

Troponin

Biomarker indicating MI (myocardial infarction).

SA Node

Natural pacemaker of the heart.

BNP

Biomarker indicating heart failure.

Systole

Phase of the cardiac cycle where the heart squeezes (contracts).

Arterial Insufficiency Signs

Painful extremities, pale/cool skin, and weak pulse.

DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)

Venous blood clot that carries a risk for PE (pulmonary embolism).

S2 Sound

Sound created when the aortic and pulmonic valves close.

Angina

Chest pain caused by ischemia.

Thrill

Vascular vibration that you feel upon palpation.

Cardiac Output Formula

$$\text{CO} = \text{HR} \times \text{SV}$$

2+ Pulse

Normal pulse score.

Daily Weight

Clinical measurement used to monitor fluid retention.

Venous Insufficiency Signs

Swelling, brown discoloration, and irregular/weeping ulcers.