CT Boards, Patient Care

What are Mild Side Effects of IV Contrast Administrations?

• Warmth

• Nausea

• Metallic taste

• Mild itching

• Anxiety symptoms

What are Moderate Side Effects of IV Contrast Administrations?

Normal INR Range

0.8–1.2

Normal GFR Levels

A normal eGFR for adults is 90 and above, although this number varies according to several factor

Layers of the Meninges

From the outside in, the layers are the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater

What are the Retroperitoneal Organs?

• Ascending and Descending Colon

• Adrenal Glands

• Kidneys

• Pancreatic Head and Body

• Ureters

• Aorta and Inferior Vena Cava

Severe Contrast Reactions

• Anaphylactic shock

• Severe bronchospasm

• Cardiopulmonary arrest

• Severe hypotension / cardiovascular collapse

Normal Creatine Levels

0.5 to 1.3 mg/dL

The Three Vessels that branch of Celiac Artery

• common hepatic artery

• splenic artery

• left gastric artery

Calcium Scoring

demonstrates calcium in the left main coronary artery and circumflex coronary artery. The calcifications appear brighter than the surrounding tissue. Because calcifications appears in the left main coronary artery, this patient was likely referred for a cardiac catheterization

Congestive Heart Failure

• when the heart muscle is unable to sufficiently pump blood, symptoms include irregular heartbeat, persistent cough, increased frequency of urination, and weight gain from fluid retention. Congestive heart failure requires lifelong management, usually with medication

• may be the result of coronary artery disease, high blood pressure

Left Sided Heart Failure

fluid backs up in the lungs and may cause shortness of breath

Right-sided heart failure

, fluid may back up in the abdomen, causing swelling or edema of the lower extremities

Pulmonary Edema

• it is known as cardiogenic pulmonary edema and results from increased pressure in the heart that pushes fluid through vessel walls and into the interstitial spaces of the lungs

Pneumonia

an infection of the lungs that causes inflammation of the air sacs. It can be classified according to where the infection occurred and the type of infectious agent. The most common type is community-acquired pneumonia

Pneumothorax

• the abnormal collection of air in the pleural space

Atelectasis

• the partial or complete collapse of the lung and occurs when the alveoli become deflated or filled with fluid, preventing normal expansion of the lung. Obstructive atelectasis occurs from an obstruction or blockage of the airway, such as from a foreign body, mucus plug, or mass in the airway

Bezoar

, is a collection of foreign material, such as hair, fiber, plastic, or other indigestible matter inside the digestive tract

Hernia Categories:

• congenital or acquired. Congenital hernias are present at birth and are caused by embryonic developmental defects, whereas acquired hernias usually develop later in life, often due to trauma

Diverticulitis

• a result of a weakness in the muscle layers of the digestive system that causes a “pocket” or outpouching. Although most common in the large intestine, diverticula can also appear in the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine

• Classified as uncomplicated or complicated

• Uncomplicated diverticulitis symptoms are abdominal cramping, bloating, flatulence, and irregular defecation

• Complicated diverticulitis symptoms are rectal bleeding and anemia

P Wave

• the first small round upward bump

• Atrial Depolarization

Q Wave

• the first downward deflection of QRS Complex

• normal electrical activation, hearts middle wall

R Wave

• first upward deflection in the QRS complex

• Thick walls of the ventricles

S Wave

• he final phase of ventricular depolarization (electrical activation of the heart's lower chambers).

T Wave

• repolarization of the heart’s ventriculus

• Next bump after QRS Complex

QRS Complex

• the sharp, prominent series of spikes seen on an electrocardiogram

• represents the electrical depolarization (activation) of the heart's ventricles.

• This electrical signal triggers the ventricles to contract and pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body

R-R Interval

a full heartbeat represented

Lethargic

Drowsy, but easily awakened by speaking in a normal or slightly louder voice; may drift back to sleep when not stimulate

Obtunded

is a medical term used to describe a dulled or reduced level of alertness, arousal, or consciousness. An obtunded patient has decreased interest in their surroundings, appears drowsy, and exhibits slowed responses to stimulation

Stupor

A person in a stupor can only be temporarily aroused by vigorous, intense, or painful stimulation, and they quickly relapse into an unresponsive state once the stimulus stop

Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF)

• how much blood is moving through brain tissue per minute

• Units: mL/100g/min

Cerebral Blood Volume (CBV)

• how much blood is currently in the tissue

• Reflects capillary + small vessel blood content

• Low CBV = infarcted (dead) tissue

Mean Transit Time (MTT)

MTT=CBF/CBV​

• What it means: how long blood takes to pass through tissue

• High MTT = sluggish or blocked flow

Time to Peak (TTP)

• Time from contrast arrival → maximum enhancement

• Delayed TTP = delayed perfusion / ischemia