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NUR2226 Exam Revision > Week 5-Cardiovascular > Flashcards

Week 5-Cardiovascular Flashcards

(70 cards)

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1
Q

Which chamber of the heart has the thickest muscle wall and why?

A

The left ventricle, because it pumps blood to the entire body via the aorta and must generate high pressure.

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2
Q

What is the function of the atrioventricular (AV) valves?

A

They prevent backflow from the ventricles into the atria during ventricular contraction. (Right = tricuspid, Left = mitral)

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3
Q

What is the role of the semilunar valves?

A

They prevent backflow into the ventricles from the aorta and pulmonary artery during ventricular relaxation.

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4
Q

What is stroke volume?

A

The amount of blood ejected from the ventricle with each heartbeat. Normal range: 60–100 mL/beat.

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5
Q

What three factors influence stroke volume?

A

Preload, afterload, and myocardial contractility.

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6
Q

What is cardiac output (CO) and how is it calculated?

A

Cardiac output = Stroke volume × Heart rate. It reflects total blood volume pumped per minute.

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7
Q

What is preload?

A

The volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole; represents ventricular stretch.

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8
Q

What is afterload?

A

The resistance the left ventricle must overcome to circulate blood; influenced by systemic vascular resistance.

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9
Q

What is contractility in the context of the heart?

A

The strength of ventricular contraction, influenced by sympathetic stimulation and calcium availability.

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10
Q

Name the major coronary arteries.

A

Right coronary artery (RCA), left coronary artery (LCA), which branches into the left anterior descending (LAD) and circumflex arteries.

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11
Q

What part of the heart does the right coronary artery supply?

A

Right atrium, right ventricle, inferior wall of the left ventricle, and AV/SA nodes.

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12
Q

What is the function of the sinoatrial (SA) node?

A

It acts as the natural pacemaker of the heart, initiating electrical impulses at 60–100 bpm.

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13
Q

What does the atrioventricular (AV) node do?

A

Delays the electrical impulse to allow atrial contraction before ventricular contraction.

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14
Q

What is the Bundle of His and Purkinje system responsible for?

A

Transmitting impulses from the AV node through the ventricles to coordinate contraction.

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15
Q
A
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16
Q

What is systole?

A

The phase of the cardiac cycle in which the ventricles contract and eject blood.

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17
Q

What is diastole?

A

The phase of the cardiac cycle in which the ventricles relax and fill with blood.

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18
Q

What is ejection fraction and what does it indicate?

A

The percentage of blood ejected from the left ventricle per beat. Normal EF is 55–70%; lower values indicate systolic heart failure.

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19
Q

What is the function of the pulmonary circulation?

A

To transport deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs and return oxygenated blood to the left atrium.

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20
Q

What is the systemic circulation?

A

he pathway that delivers oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body and returns deoxygenated blood to the right atrium.

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21
Q

What is coronary heart disease (CHD)?

A

A condition where the coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked by atherosclerosis, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle.

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22
Q

What is atherosclerosis?

A

A chronic inflammatory process where fatty plaques build up inside arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow.

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23
Q

What causes acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?

A

A sudden reduction in blood flow to the heart due to plaque rupture, thrombosis, or spasm of a coronary artery.

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24
Q

What are signs of acute coronary syndrome?

A

Chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, diaphoresis, and ECG changes like ST elevation or T wave inversio

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25
What is hypertension?
Persistently high blood pressure, typically ≥140/90 mmHg, increasing the risk of stroke, MI, and renal disease.
26
What is hypercholesterolaemia?
Elevated blood cholesterol, especially LDL, contributing to the development of atherosclerosis.
27
What is heart failure?
A condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, leading to fluid retention and fatigue.
28
What symptoms suggest heart failure?
Dyspnoea, orthopnoea, oedema, fatigue, weight gain, and reduced exercise tolerance.
29
What is the P wave in an ECG?
Atrial depolarisation — the electrical impulse starting in the SA node and spreading through the atria.
30
What is the QRS complex?
Ventricular depolarisation, representing the contraction of the ventricles.
31
What does the T wave represent?
Ventricular repolarisation — the recovery phase of the ventricles.
32
What is sinus tachycardia?
A sinus rhythm with a heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute
33
: What is sinus bradycardia?
A sinus rhythm with a heart rate less than 60 beats per minute
34
What is atrial fibrillation?
An irregular, chaotic rhythm where the atria do not contract effectively, increasing stroke risk.
35
What do beta-blockers do in cardiovascular care?
They reduce heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand, used in hypertension, angina, and heart failure.
36
What are side effects of beta-blockers?
Bradycardia, hypotension, fatigue, cold extremities, and sometimes depression.
37
What is the role of ACE inhibitors?
They prevent conversion of angiotensin I to II, lowering BP and easing heart workload in heart failure.
38
What is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors?
A persistent dry cough and risk of hyperkalaemia.
39
What are ARBs used for?
They block angiotensin II receptors, similar to ACE inhibitors but without causing a cough.
40
What do antianginal agents like nitrates do?
They dilate blood vessels, reduce cardiac workload, and relieve angina pain.
41
What do anticoagulants do?
: Prevent clot formation or growth, reducing the risk of embolism or stroke.
42
What are antiplatelet drugs and why are they used?
They inhibit platelet aggregation, reducing clot risk, especially in ACS or post-stent insertion.
43
What are lipid-lowering agents used for?
They reduce LDL cholesterol to prevent or slow atherosclerosis progression.
44
What is BNP and what does it indicate?
B-type natriuretic peptide, elevated in heart failure due to ventricular stretch and fluid overload.
45
What are signs of cardiovascular clinical deterioration?
Hypotension, tachycardia, altered mental state, chest pain, dyspnoea, and low oxygen saturation.
46
47
How should nurses support cardiovascular lifestyle changes?
Provide education on smoking cessation, diet, physical activity, and medication adherence.
48
What are nursing priorities for managing heart failure?
Fluid balance, daily weights, medication administration (diuretics, ACEI), and patient education.
49
What are culturally appropriate interventions in cardiovascular care?
Respect dietary customs, health beliefs, language preferences, and family decision-making roles.
50
What is the purpose of an ECG in cardiovascular care?
To record the heart's electrical activity and detect arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, conduction abnormalities, and electrolyte imbalances.
51
What does the PR interval represent on an ECG?
The time taken for the electrical impulse to travel from the atria to the ventricles (normal: 0.12–0.20 seconds).
52
What does the QT interval represent?
The total time for ventricular depolarisation and repolarisation. Prolongation can increase risk of arrhythmias.
53
What is the normal range for the QRS complex?
Less than 0.12 seconds (typically 0.06–0.10 sec); longer indicates ventricular conduction delay.
54
What is ST segment elevation suggestive of?
Myocardial infarction — especially STEMI (ST-elevation MI), indicating acute injury.
55
What is the difference between sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation?
Sinus rhythm is regular with identifiable P waves; AF is irregular with no P waves and erratic baseline.
56
What is the primary action of beta-blockers in cardiac disorders?
Decrease heart rate and myocardial contractility, reducing oxygen demand and controlling hypertension or arrhythmias.
57
Why are ACE inhibitors prescribed post-MI or in heart failure?
They reduce afterload and prevent cardiac remodelling, improving survival and reducing symptoms.
58
What’s a common nursing consideration when administering ACE inhibitors?
Monitor blood pressure, renal function, and potassium levels due to risk of hypotension and hyperkalaemia.
59
When are ARBs used instead of ACE inhibitors?
When patients experience intolerable side effects such as a persistent dry cough.
60
How do antianginal agents like glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) help in angina?
They dilate coronary arteries and reduce preload, improving myocardial oxygen supply and reducing chest pain.
61
What nursing precautions are important when administering GTN?
Monitor BP closely (can cause hypotension), check for headache or dizziness, and avoid with phosphodiesterase inhibitors.
62
What is the role of lipid-lowering agents such as statins?
They reduce LDL cholesterol and help prevent progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events.
63
What are key nursing assessments when starting statin therapy?
Monitor liver enzymes, assess for muscle pain or weakness (possible rhabdomyolysis), and encourage nighttime dosing.
64
How do anticoagulants like warfarin or heparin function?
They prevent new clots from forming and existing clots from growing, used in AF, DVT, or post-MI.
65
What are key nursing considerations when managing anticoagulated patients?
Monitor INR (warfarin), aPTT (heparin), check for signs of bleeding, and educate about dietary and medication interactions.
66
What do antiplatelet agents like aspirin do?
Inhibit platelet aggregation, reducing risk of arterial clot formation, especially after MI or stent placement.
67
How can nurses tailor cardiac care to individual patient needs?
By considering comorbidities, age, social supports, health literacy, lifestyle, and personal health goals.
68
What signs may indicate cardiovascular deterioration?
Sudden hypotension, bradycardia or tachycardia, altered consciousness, increased work of breathing, or chest pain.
69
ocused Cardiovascular Assessment
General Appearance Health History Vital Signs Inspection auscultation palpation Fluid status
70

NUR2226 Exam Revision (7 decks)

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