Chapter 17- Cardiovascular Emergencies

Question 1

ischemia

Answer 1

decreased blood flow

Question 2

atherosclerosis

Answer 2

a disorder that interferes with the vessels’ ability to dilate or contract

Question 3

thromboembolism

Answer 3

a blood clot that floats through blood vessels until it reaches an area too narrow for it to pass, causing it to stop and block the blood flow at that point

Question 4

angina

Answer 4

chest pain caused by heart not getting enough oxygen-rich blood

Question 5

how is anginal pain commonly described

Answer 5

crushing, squeezing, like “someone is standing on my chest”

Question 6

cardiogenic shock

Answer 6

when the heart lacks enough power to force the proper amount of blood through the circulatory system

more commonly found after AMI

Question 7

congestive heart failure (CHF)

Answer 7

when the heart muscles can no longer contract effectively

Question 8

symptoms of congestive heart failure

Answer 8

Pt finds it easier to breathe when sitting up
Pt is agitated
Chest pain may or may not be present
Distended neck veins that do no collapse even when pt is sitting
Swollen ankles
High BP, rapid HR, and rapid respirations
Using accessory breathing muscles of neck and ribs
pale/cyanotic and sweaty
Crackle sounds when breathing

Question 9

signs of a hypertensive emergency

Answer 9

Strong bounding pulse
Ringing in the ears
Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness
Warm skin (dry or moist)
Nosebleed
Altered mental status
Sudden development of pulmonary edema

Question 10

dissecting aneurysm

Answer 10

when the inner layers of the aorta become separated, allowing blood (at high pressures) to flow between the layers

Question 11

symptoms of a dissecting aortic aneurysm

Answer 11

sudden chest pain located in the anterior part of the chest or in the back between shoulder blades

Question 12

contraindications of nitroglycerin

Answer 12

presence of head injury
use of erectile dysfunction drugs within previous 24 to 48 hours