Assessing the Cardiovascular System

Vocabulary flashcards covering cardiovascular system assessment landmarks, heart sounds, pulse strength grading, neurovascular assessment components, and age-related variations.

Aortic Area

Cardiovascular listening location situated at the Right 2nd Intercostal Space.

Pulmonic Area

Cardiovascular listening location situated at the Left 2nd Intercostal Space.

Erb's Point

Cardiovascular listening location situated at the Left 3rd Intercostal Space where $S_1$ and $S_2$ are heard.

Tricuspid Area

Cardiovascular listening location situated at the Lower Left Sternal Border in the 4th Intercostal space.

Mitral Area

Cardiovascular listening location situated at the Left 5th Intercostal space, Medial to the Midclavicular Line; also known as the apical area.

Bruits

Sounds caused by blood swirling instead of flowing smoothly, auscultated using the bell of the stethoscope over the carotid arteries.

Stethoscope Diaphragm

The side of the stethoscope used during heart auscultation to hear high-pitched heart sounds.

Stethoscope Bell

The side of the stethoscope used during auscultation to hear low-pitched sounds, such as bruits and extra heart sounds.

$S_1$ Heart Sound

The first heart sound ("lub"), which is dull and low-pitched, heard best over the mitral and tricuspid areas.

$S_2$ Heart Sound

The second heart sound ("dub"), which is higher in pitch and shorter than $S_1$, heard best over the aortic and pulmonary areas.

$S_3$ Heart Sound

An extra heart sound heard as "lub-dub-dee" ("Ken-Tuck-y"), best heard at the apical area with the patient lying on their left side.

$S_4$ Heart Sound

An extra heart sound heard as "dee-lub-dub" ("TENN-ess-ee"), best heard at the apical site with the patient lying on their left side.

Heart Murmurs

Additional sounds produced by turbulent blood flow through the heart valves.

Pulse Strength Grade 0

Pulse amplitude description indicating absent pulse strength where you are unable to palpate.

Pulse Strength Grade +1

Pulse amplitude description indicating diminished pulse strength that is weaker than expected.

Pulse Strength Grade +2

Pulse amplitude description indicating normal pulse strength that is brisk and expected.

Pulse Strength Grade +3

Pulse amplitude description indicating bounding pulse strength.

Neurovascular Assessment - Pain

Extreme pain, especially on passive motion, which is unlikely to be relieved by opioid analgesia and indicates probable neurovascular impairment in an extremity.

Neurovascular Assessment - Pallor

Assessment comparing limb color and temperature; pale skin/white color indicates poor arterial perfusion, cyanosis indicates venous stasis, and coolness indicates decreased arterial supply.

Neurovascular Assessment - Paresthesia

Changes in sensory nerves manifesting as numbness, tingling, or "pins and needles" sensations, which may be the first symptom to appear.

Neurovascular Assessment - Paralysis

The inability of the patient to move the extremity distal to an injury, resulting from prolonged nerve compression or irreversible muscle damage.

Neurovascular Assessment - Pressure

Tightness or pressure in the affected area where surrounding skin appears shiny and feels taut and firm to the touch.

Cardiovascular Variations in Older Adults

Age-related findings including difficulty palpating apical pulse and distal arteries, more prominent blood vessels, increased varicosities, increased BP, and wide pulse pressure.

Cardiovascular Variations in Infants and Children

Age-related findings including visible cardiac pulsation, sinus dysrhythmia, increased heart rate, and an $S_3$ heart sound.