23 Questions
What are the symptoms of acute arterial occlusion from embolism or thrombosis?
Pain, numbness, coldness, paleness, and pulselessness in the limb distal to the occlusion
How can varicose veins be identified?
Dilated, tortuous, with somewhat thickened walls
What is a characteristic of chronic venous insufficiency edema?
Soft, with pitting on pressure, and occasionally bilateral
How can lymphedema be distinguished from chronic venous insufficiency?
Edema is initially soft and pitting, then becomes indurated, hard, and nonpitting
What is syncope?
A transient loss of consciousness followed by recovery
What is the cause of most cases of fainting or syncope?
Vasovagal syncope
What is the ejection fraction (EF) normally?
60%
What is the paradoxical pulse associated with?
Pericardial tamponade
What does a paradoxical pulse indicate?
Pericardial tamponade
What causes decreased right ventricular preload?
Exhalation
What is the percentage of ventricular volume ejected during each heartbeat in heart failure with reduced EF?
Less than 40%
What is the purpose of using a blood pressure cuff to check for a paradoxical pulse?
To detect a paradoxical pulse associated with pericardial tamponade
What can skin thickening indicate in terms of cardiovascular health?
Hypertension, shock, or heart murmurs
What can murmurs indicate?
Turbulent blood flow due to valvular heart disease
What may bruits indicate?
Atherosclerosis or other conditions
What can palpitations indicate?
Conduction system disease or anxiety
What can pitting edema be a sign of?
Heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis, or malnutrition
What can swelling or edema be caused by?
Cardiac or pulmonary issues, nutritional deficiencies, or positional factors
What is the characteristic of dependent edema?
Appears in the lowest body parts when sitting or bedridden
What can patients retaining fluid experience?
Tight rings, periorbital puffiness, and an enlarged waistline
When might dependent edema become obvious?
Until several liters of extra fluid have accumulated
What can rapid weight gain occur prior to?
Visible edema
What should close attention be paid to in relation to swelling?
Location, timing, and setting of swelling, along with associated symptoms
Study Notes
Cardiovascular Assessment and Related Symptoms
- Skin thickening may indicate conditions affecting cardiac output and perfusion such as hypertension, shock, or heart murmurs
- Heart murmurs are distinct sounds indicating turbulent blood flow, often due to valvular heart disease
- Murmurs can be graded by loudness and may indicate conditions like heart failure or hypertension
- Bruits are caused by turbulent blood flow and may indicate atherosclerosis or other conditions
- Palpitations may indicate conduction system disease, but can also be caused by anxiety or hyperthyroidism
- Pitting edema can be a sign of heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis, or malnutrition
- Swelling, or edema, can be caused by cardiac or pulmonary issues, nutritional deficiencies, or positional factors
- Dependent edema appears in the lowest body parts when sitting or bedridden, while anasarca is severe generalized edema
- Patients retaining fluid may experience tight rings, periorbital puffiness, and an enlarged waistline
- Dependent edema may not be obvious until several liters of extra fluid have accumulated
- Rapid weight gain may occur prior to visible edema, so daily morning weights should be recorded
- Close attention should be paid to the location, timing, and setting of swelling, along with associated symptoms
Test your knowledge of cardiovascular assessment and related symptoms with this quiz. Explore the signs and symptoms that may indicate conditions affecting cardiac output, perfusion, and various cardiovascular diseases. Gain insight into recognizing murmurs, bruits, palpitations, and different types of edema.
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