chapter 17 - cardiac emergencies

Question 1

The one-way valve that lies between the left ventricle and the aorta and keeps blood from flowing back into the left ventricle after the left ventricle ejects it’s blood into the aorta

Answer 1

aortic valve

Question 2

Disorganized, ineffective quivering of the ventricles, resulting in no blood flow and a state of cardiac arrest

Answer 2

ventricular fibrillation

Question 3

Widening of a tubular structure such as a coronary artery

Answer 3

dilation

Question 4

The volume of blood pumped forward with each ventricular contraction

Answer 4

stroke volume

Question 5

An irregular or abnormal heart rhythm

Answer 5

dysrhythmia

Question 6

Death of a body tissue, usually caused by interruption of its blood supply

Answer 6

infarction

Question 7

A measure of the volume of blood circulated by the heart in 1 minute, calculated by multiplying the stroke volume by the heart rate

Answer 7

cardiac output

Question 8

Transient (short-lived) chest discomfort caused by partial or temporary blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle

Answer 8

angina pectoris

Question 9

A tracing on an ECG that is the result of interference, such as patient movement, rather than the heart’s electrical activity

Answer 9

artifact

Question 10

The return of a pulse and effective blood flow to the body in a patient who previously was in cardiac arrest

Answer 10

return of spontaneous circulation

Question 11

A group of symptoms caused by myocardial ischemia

Answer 11

acute coronary syndrome

Question 12

A blood clot that has formed within a blood vessel and is floating within the bloodstream

Answer 12

thromboembolism

Question 13

To shock a fibrillating heart with specialized electric current in an attempt to restore a normal, rhythmic beat

Answer 13

defibrillate

Question 14

The flow of blood through body tissues and vessels

Answer 14

perfusion

Question 15

Swelling in the part of the body closest to the ground, caused by collection of fluid in the tissues

Answer 15

dependent edema

Question 16

The part of the autonomic nervous system that controls vegetative functions such as digestion of food and relaxation

Answer 16

parasympathetic nervous system

Question 17

An emergency situation created by excessively high blood pressure, which can lead to serious complications such as stroke or aneurysm

Answer 17

hypertensive emergency

Question 18

The front surface of the body

Answer 18

anterior

Question 19

One of the two upper chambers of the heart

Answer 19

atrium

Question 20

A heart attack; death of heart muscle following obstruction of blood flow to it

Answer 20

acute myocardial infarction

Question 21

A weakness in the wall of the aorta that makes it susceptible to rupture

Answer 21

aortic aneurysm

Question 22

The part of the nervous system that controls the involuntary activities of the body such as the heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion of food

Answer 22

autonomic nervous system

Question 23

A slow heart rate, less than 60 bpm

Answer 23

bradycardia

Question 24

The part of the autonomic nervous system that controls active functions such as responding to fear

Answer 24

sympathetic nervous system

Question 25

A fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness

Answer 25

syncope

Question 26

Above a body part or nearer to the head

Answer 26

superior

Question 27

The ability of cardiac muscle cells to contract without simulation from the nervous system

Answer 27

automaticity

Question 28

The back surface of the body

Answer 28

posterior

Question 29

When the heart fails to generate effective and detectable blood flow

Answer 29

cardiac arrest

Question 30

The blood vessels that carry blood and nutrients to the heart muscle

Answer 30

coronary arteries

Question 31

The heart muscle

Answer 31

myocardium

Question 32

A disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside the walls of the blood vessels, forming plaque, which eventually leads to a partial or complete blockage of blood flow

Answer 32

atherosclerosis

Question 33

A state in which not enough oxygen is delivered to the tissues of the body, caused by low output of blood from the heart

Answer 33

cardiogenic shock

Question 34

A lack of oxygen that deprives tissues of necessary nutrients, resulting from partial or complete blockage of blood flow; potentially reversible because permanent injury has not yet occurred

Answer 34

ischemia

Question 35

The inside diameter of an artery or other hollow structure

Answer 35

lumen

Question 36

The main artery leaving the left side of the heart and carrying freshly oxygenated blood to the body

Answer 36

aorta

Question 37

A blockage, usually of a tubular structure such as a blood vessel

Answer 37

occlusion

Question 38

One of the two lower chambers of the heart

Answer 38

ventricle

Question 39

A disorder in which the heart loses part of its ability to effectively pump blood, usually as a result of damage to the heart muscle and usually resulting in a backup of fluid into the lungs

Answer 39

congestive heart failure

Question 40

Below a body part or nearer to the feet

Answer 40

inferior

Question 41

The complete absence of all heart electrical activity

Answer 41

asystole

Question 42

A rapid heart rate, more than 100 bpm

Answer 42

tachycardia

Question 43

A condition in which the inner layers of an artery, such as the aorta, become separated, allowing blood (at high pressures) to flow between the layers

Answer 43

dissecting aneurysm

Question 44

A rapid heart rhythm in which the electrical impulse begins in the ventricle (instead of the atria), which may result in inadequate blood flow and eventually deteriorate into cardiac arrest

Answer 44

ventricular tachycardia