Course 2: Pathophysiology Flashcards
(215 cards)
Pertinent negatives
Specific symptoms that are not present which cause the physician to doubt certain diagnoses
What will the physician do if he or she has suspicion about a certain disease?
Order the specific objective study that can diagnose it or rule it out
Etiology
The physiological process causing the symptoms
Etiology of CAD
Narrowing of the coronary arteries limits blood supply to the heart muscle causing angina
Angina
Chest pain specifically due to heart-muscle ischemia
Symptoms of CAD
- Chest pain or chest pressure
* worse with exertion but improved by rest or nitroglycerin (NTG)
Associated meds of CAD
Aspirin (ASA) 324mg PO
Nitroglycerin (NTG) 0.4 mg SL
CAD diagnosed by
Cardiac catheterization (Not diagnosed in the ED) or stress test which can assess the severity of CAD
What is the single greatest risk for an MI?
CAD
What PMHx can a patient have to be diagnosed with CAD?
Angina, MI, CABG, Cardiac stents or angioplasty
What is the function of aspirin?
Blood thinner that reduces the clumping action of platelets, possibly preventing a heart attack
Etiology of MI
Acute blockage of the coronary arteries results in ischemia and infarct of the heart muscle
Symptoms of MI
Chest pressure or chest pain with diaphoresis, N/V and SOB
Diaphoresis
Sweating, especially to an unusual degree as a symptom of disease or a side effect of a drug
Risk factors of MI
CAD, HTN, HLD, DM, Smoker, FHx of CAD
MI is diagnosed by
EKG (STEMI) or elevated Troponin (non-STEMI)
Associated meds of MI
ASA, NTG, B-Blocker, Thromboytic (Heparin)
In what amount of time must STEMI patients must get to the Cath-lab upon arrival?
90 minutes (document ED arrival and depart times)
STEMI
STEMI: transmittal infarction of the myocardium (the entire thickness of the myocardium has undergone necrosis), resulting in ST elevation. Usually due to a complete block of a coronary artery (occlusive thrombus)
NSTEMI
Partial dynamic block to coronary arteries (non-occlusive thrombus)
Etiology of CHF
The heart becomes enlarged, inefficient, and congested with excess fluid
Symptoms of CHF
SOB •worse with lying flat (Orthopnea) •paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) •pedal edema •Dyspnea on exertion (DOE)
PE of CHF
Rales (crackles) in lungs, Jugular Vein distension (JVD) in neck, putting pedal edema
Associated meds of CHF
Diuretics (Lasix, Furosemide) which leads to the pt urinating extra fluid