Cardiac Flashcards
(125 cards)
Which side of the heart is considered the low pressure system (pulmonary system)?
The right side
What side of the heart is considered the high pressure pump (systemic circulation)?
The left side
When the left ventricle contracts, it creates an impulse palpable at the apex of the heart called what?
apical pulse
The apical pulse is also called ________, because it’s where the heartbeat is most strongly felt.
Point of maximal impulse (PMI)
Where is the PMI located?
Left anterior chest at fifth intercostal space along the midclavicular line
What is made of thick cardiac muscle tissue and is responsible for contraction and ejection of blood from the heart?
Myocardium
The left main coronary arteries divides into what sections?
Left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the circumflex artery (Cx)
Where does the LAD supply blood to?
Anterior surface of left ventricle
Lateral side of left ventricle
Interventricular septum
Branches of the right coronary artery supply blood to the ….?
Walls of right atrium
Walls of the right ventricle
Inferior left ventricle
SA node
Atrioventricular bundle
What are the six parts of the cardiac conduction system?
SA node
Atrioventricular node
Bundle of His
Right and Left bundle branches
Purkinje fibers
Stimulation of _______ strengthens the force of contraction and increases the heart rate.
sympathetic (accelerator) nerves
Stimulation of the ____________ slows the rate of discharge of the SA node, slows conduction through the atrioventricular nose, weakens the atrial contraction and causes small reduction in the ventricular contraction.
Parasympathetic (inhibitory)
What are cardiac conditions caused by an abrupt reduction in blood flow through the coronary artery?
Acute coronary syndromes (ACSs)
What are three major ACS’s?
unstable angina
Non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)
ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
What are common chief complaints of patients experiencing an ACS?
chest pain, dyspnea, fainting, palpitations and fatigue
A pt with multiple symptoms, it’s important to ask …?
Which symptom started first and which bothers them the most
What is chest discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen (myocardial ischemia)?
Angina pectoris
What medication do patients with CAD (coronary artery disease) commonly take?
NTG - Nitro
Severe ischemia may result in radiation to the _____?
right chest, right arm and back
Where does chest discomfort associated with myocardial ischemia usually begin?
central or left chest that radiates to the arm (little finger[ulnar] side of left arm), wrist, jaw, epigastrium, left shoulder and between the shoulder blades
What are medications or procedures used to open a blocked coronary artery?
reperfusion therapy
How long do anginal symptoms usually last?
20 minutes or less
Chest discomfort that lasts for hours may also be seen in patients with ____ & ____?
Pericarditis and aortic dissection
Chest discomfort associated with AMI lasts about ?
20 minutes to several hours