Cardiac Emergencies Flashcards
What is the physiology of the heart?
An organ, made of cells and tissue that independently generates and transmits electrical signals to the myocardium in order to make it contract and pump blood.
Describe different types of cardiac emergencies.
Angina Pectoris, Acute Myocardial Infarction (MI), Stroke, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.
What is the role of a health assistant in a cardiac emergency?
Use acronym OPQRST to assess
What acronym helps with assessing a cardiac emergency?
OPQRST
Define the acronym OPQRST.
Onset, provokes, quality, radiates, severity, time
What are 7 things to assess for in any cardiac emergency?
Dyspnea, palpitations, syncope, fatigue, coughing, cyanosis, edema.
Define Angina Pectoris.
Refers to chest pain or discomfort due to oxygen supply and demand deficit.
Define Acute Myocardial Infarction (MI).
Occurs where there is loss of oxygenated blood flow to the heart. Known as a heart attack.
Define a Stroke.
Caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain and the brain tissue of oxygen leading to cell death.
Stroke is considered by two types which are?
Ischemic (clotting) or hemorrhagic (bleeding in brain)
Ischemic stroke can be classified by which two categories?
Thrombotic and embolic
What system helps assess a stroke?
BEFAST system
Define Tissue Plasminogen Activator.
Works by dissolving blood clots and restores blood flow to the brain regions affected by a stroke
What does tPA stand for?
Tissue Plasminogen Activator.
Define Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.
A permanent, local dilation or bulging of the abdominal aorta exceeding by 50% of the normal aortic diameter.
