Medical-Surgical Nursing Review

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from a medical-surgical nursing lecture.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Build up of fat and plaque in the coronary arteries of the heart. Can lead to an MI.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Altered blood flow due to blood clots, plaque, or injuries. Symptoms include cool skin, loss of pulses, hair loss, and intermittent claudication.

Peripheral Venous Disease

Caused by plaque, clots, injuries, or varicose veins. Manifestations include big thick veins and high pressure in the veins.

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

Originates from the atria. Risk factors include hyperthyroidism and diabetes.

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

Cardiac S/S: Tachycardia, irregular HR, palpitations, chest discomfort, SOB, dizziness, risk of blood clots.

CAD S/S

Substernal or precordial chest pain, nausea, epigastric distress, dyspnea, anxiety, and diaphoresis.

COPD

Lungs are full of thick liquid that can make it hard to cough up/get rid of, so your body is not exchanging O2 and CO2 properly

Asthma Physiological Changes

Bronchial tube is becoming smaller (constriction). Related to allergens and exercise.

Anaphylaxis Respiratory Effects

Wheezing lung sounds, tachycardia, hypotension, tachypnea, hypoxia, altered mental status. Drop in blood pressure = impending shock.

Hypoxia

Too much CO₂, not enough O₂.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Left-Sided (Lungs)

SOB, wheezing/crackles/rales.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Right-Sided (Rest of body)

JVD and edema.

Normal EKG Function

P-wave = Atria depolarization (atria contracts). PR interval = SA node transmission to ventricles. QRS complex = Ventricles depolarization. T wave = Ventricular repolarization.

STEMI S/S

Diaphoretic, anxious, chest pain, dizzy

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

A condition characterized by the buildup of fat and plaque inside the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. This can lead to reduced blood flow, chest pain (angina), and potentially a myocardial infarction (MI), or heart attack.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

A condition in which arteries that carry blood to the limbs become narrowed or blocked, typically due to atherosclerosis. Symptoms may include cool skin, diminished or absent pulses in the affected limb, hair loss, and intermittent claudication (pain or cramping in the legs during exercise).

Peripheral Venous Disease

Encompasses disorders affecting the veins in the extremities. It can be caused by factors such as plaque, clots, injuries, or varicose veins. Manifestations may include visible, enlarged veins and increased pressure within the veins.

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

An irregular and often rapid heart rhythm originating in the atria (upper chambers of the heart). On an ECG, AFib may appear as a saw-tooth pattern. Risk factors include conditions like hyperthyroidism and diabetes.

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

Also known as a heart attack, it occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, typically by a blood clot. Cardiac signs and symptoms may include tachycardia, irregular heart rate, palpitations, chest discomfort, shortness of breath (SOB), dizziness, and an increased risk of blood clot formation.

CAD S/S

Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease can include substernal or precordial chest pain, nausea, epigastric distress (discomfort in the upper abdomen), dyspnea (shortness of breath), anxiety, and diaphoresis (excessive sweating).

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A progressive lung disease characterized by airflow limitation. The lungs may be filled with thick mucus that is difficult to clear, leading to impaired exchange of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2).

Asthma Physiological Changes

During an asthma attack, the bronchial tubes (airways) become constricted, leading to reduced airflow. This constriction can be triggered by allergens, exercise, or other irritants.

Anaphylaxis Respiratory Effects

Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, can cause wheezing lung sounds, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), hypotension (low blood pressure), tachypnea (rapid breathing), hypoxia (low oxygen levels), and altered mental status. A drop in blood pressure may indicate impending shock.

Hypoxia

A condition in which there is an inadequate supply of oxygen (O2) to the body's tissues, often accompanied by an excess of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Left-Sided (Lungs)

Left-sided heart failure occurs when the left ventricle cannot effectively pump blood to the body, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs. This can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath (SOB), wheezing, crackles, or rales (abnormal lung sounds).

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Right-Sided (Rest of body)

Right-sided heart failure occurs when the right ventricle cannot effectively pump blood to the lungs, leading to fluid buildup in the body. This can cause symptoms such as Jugular Vein Distention (JVD) and edema (swelling), particularly in the lower extremities.

Normal EKG Function

P-wave represents atrial depolarization (contraction of the atria). The PR interval indicates the time it takes for the electrical impulse to travel from the SA node to the ventricles. The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization (contraction of the ventricles). The T wave represents ventricular repolarization (recovery of the ventricles).

STEMI S/S

STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) signs and symptoms may include diaphoresis (excessive sweating), anxiety, chest pain, and dizziness. STEMI is a type of heart attack characterized by specific changes on an electrocardiogram (EKG).