Definitions

Question 1

Asthma

Answer 1

Chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterised by reversible airway obstruction

Question 2

Angina Pectoris

Answer 2

Clinical syndrome of chest pain or discomfort that accompanies periods of myocardial ischaemia

Question 3

Breathlessness

Answer 3

Abnormal or uncomfortable awareness of breathing

Question 4

Syncope

Answer 4

Sudden, brief loss of consciousness caused by inadequate blood supply to the brain

Question 5

Palpitation

Answer 5

Uncomfortable awareness of the heart action

Question 6

Wheeze

Answer 6

An expiratory breathing sound caused by turbulent flow through narrowed airways

Question 7

Haemoptysis

Answer 7

Coughing up of blood (‘frank haemoptysis’) or blood-stained sputum

Question 8

Oedema

Answer 8

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in intercellular spaces of the body

Question 9

Cardioversion

Answer 9

Converting heart to sinus rhythm

Question 10

Atherosclerosis

Answer 10

Patchy, focal disease of the lining of large and medium sized arteries - characterised by proliferation of cells and lipid deposition

Question 11

Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS)

Answer 11

A syndrome ecompassing a spectrum of unstable coronary artery disease

Question 12

Unstable angina

Answer 12

Recurrent episodes of myocardial ischaemia occurring at rest and at an increasing frequency

Question 13

NSTEMI

Answer 13

Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction - myocardial infarction with rise in cardiac enzymes without ST changes on ECG

Question 14

STEMI

Answer 14

ST Elevatio Myocardial Infarction - myocardial infarction with rise in cardiac enzymes and ST elevation on ECG

Question 15

Thrombolysis

Answer 15

Chemical dissolution of blood clot(s)

Question 16

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)

Answer 16

Stenting of thrombosed coronary arteries

Question 17

Hypertension

Answer 17

Blood pressure persistently over 140/90 (2 readings) and ambulatory blood pressure >135/85

Question 18

Heart failure

Answer 18

Impairment of the heart as a pump supporting physiological circulation

Question 19

Pericarditis

Answer 19

Inflammation of the pericardium

Question 20

Murmur

Answer 20

Sound produced due to turbulent blood flow through the heart

Question 21

Infective endocarditis

Answer 21

Microbial infection of heart valves, endothelial surface or congenital heart defect

Question 22

Heart block

Answer 22

A group of disorders where the normal electrical conduction of the heart is disrupted

Question 23

Ventricular ectopic

Answer 23

Early and broad QRS complex due to a premature discharge of a ventricular ectopic focus

Question 24

Ventricular bigeminy

Answer 24

When a ventricular ectopic follows each normal beat

Question 25

Ventricular trigeminy

Answer 25

When a ventricular ectopic follows two normal beats

Question 26

Tachycardia

Answer 26

Heart rate >100bpm

Question 27

Bradycardia

Answer 27

Heart rate <60bpm