Cardiovascular Nursing Care

These flashcards cover key concepts and important information regarding cardiovascular nursing care, including treatment protocols, monitoring standards, and emergency response measures.

What should be done for a patient with heat failure?

Use potassium-sparing diuretics and implement a low potassium diet; check potassium levels.

Who is at risk for blood clots?

Patients who are on PPI and sit for long periods without moving.

What are arrhythmias?

Abnormal heart rhythms that require telemetry monitoring.

What medication is given to prevent blood clots in arrhythmias?

Anticoagulants, for example, Warfarin.

What are normal INR levels?

0.8 to 1.1.

What does INR measure?

It is used to check how fast blood clots.

What is asystole?

It is when the heart stops beating, also known as flatline.

What is endocarditis?

Inflammation of the heart indicating an infection.

What part of the heart does rheumatic fever involve and how is it treated?

It damages the mitral valve and is treated with Penicillin.

How is thrombophlebitis diagnosed?

Using a D-Dimer test.

What are normal D-Dimer levels?

.5 or lower.

What diet should a patient with atherosclerosis follow?

A DASH diet.

What is pericarditis?

Inflammation of the pericardium, usually due to infection.

What are normal CK-MB levels?

0-5.

What are normal Troponin levels?

1-20.05, typically 0.01.

What is hypovolemic shock?

It is severe blood loss, often due to trauma, leading to low blood pressure.

What is the patient teaching for Digoxin?

Take at the same time each day and do not take if heart rate is below 60; report signs of toxicity.

What are the signs and symptoms (S&S) of left-sided heart failure?

Dyspnea, shortness of breath (SOB), crackles, fatigue, and pink frothy sputum.

What are the signs and symptoms (S&S) of right-sided heart failure?

Peripheral edema, ascites, jaundice, and hepatomegaly.

What are aneurysms and how would you treat signs of them?

A bulging or dilation at a weak point of an arterial wall; monitor growth and maintain blood pressure.

What are normal magnesium levels?

1.6 to 2.2.

What is the antidote to Heparin?

Protamine sulfate.

What is the prehypertensive range?

130-139/80-89.

What defines hypertensive emergency?

Blood pressure greater than 140/90.

What medication is used first in a hypertensive emergency?

Beta blocker.

What is needed to diagnose orthostatic hypotension?

A drop in BP of 20-30 systolic and 10-15 diastolic.

What are symptoms of high potassium levels?

Arrhythmias and weakened reflexes.

If a patient has a positive Homan's sign, what should be checked?

D-Dimer, as it might indicate deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

If a patient has red or purple extremities, what is affected?

Arterial perfusion; check pulses and temperature.

What are the treatment classes for hypertension?

Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers (CCB), ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), and vasodilators.