Cardiovascular Disorders Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of an electrocardiogram?

To determine types and extent of heart damage, cardiac irregularities, and electrolyte imbalance.

What essential data can be collected during cardiac catheterization?

Pressure measurement of various chambers and determination of cardiac output.

How long does a Holter monitor typically record the cardiac cycle?

For 24 hours.

Which serum enzymes indicate myocardial damage?

Elevations in SGPT, LDH, CK, and more definitively, CPK-MB and Cardiac Troponin I. Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary symptoms of left heart failure?

Orthopnea, cough, and crackles. Signup and view all the answers

What are the common manifestations of right heart failure?

Peripheral edema, ascites, jugular vein distension, and hepatomegaly. Signup and view all the answers

What triggers pain in arterial diseases, and how can it be relieved?

Pain is provoked by exercise and relieved by rest. Signup and view all the answers

What are the symptoms of acute pulmonary edema?

Moist rales and pink, frothy sputum. Signup and view all the answers

What is intermittent claudication and how is it relieved?

Intermittent claudication is leg pain that occurs after exercise and is relieved after rest. Signup and view all the answers

Who is most commonly affected by Buerger’s disease and what is its main cause?

Buerger’s disease primarily affects young men who smoke, although the exact cause is unknown. Signup and view all the answers

What symptom might indicate the presence of Raynaud disease?

A bluish cast to a toe or finger and coldness in the affected limb are common symptoms. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the procedure and purpose of Allen’s test.

Allen's test evaluates circulation in the hand by compressing the ulnar and radial arteries, then assessing color return. Signup and view all the answers

What is a positive Homan’s sign and what does it indicate?

A positive Homan’s sign is pain in the calf when the foot is dorsiflexed, indicating potential thrombophlebitis. Signup and view all the answers

What is the risk associated with massaging the legs of a patient with thrombophlebitis?

Massaging the legs can dislodge a thrombus, increasing the risk of embolism. Signup and view all the answers

What are common manifestations of an aneurysm?

Common manifestations include a pulsating mass and intermittent low back pain. Signup and view all the answers

How do varicose veins develop and what are the treatment goals?

Varicose veins develop due to incompetent valves and result in tortuous, dilated veins; treatment goals include promoting venous return. Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of arterial and venous ulcers?

Arterial ulcers are caused by peripheral vascular disease while venous ulcers arise from chronic venous insufficiency. Signup and view all the answers

What does the edema measurement scale indicate?

The scale assesses the depth of thumb depression to measure edema severity, ranging from 1+ to 4+. Signup and view all the answers

What is a bruit and why should it be assessed in patients with dialysis shunts?

A bruit indicates turbulent blood flow through stenotic vessels and should be checked for patency of dialysis shunts. Signup and view all the answers

What nursing intervention can help prevent venous thrombosis?

Frequent leg movement and exercise can help prevent venous thrombosis. Signup and view all the answers

Why should support stockings be applied in the morning?

Support stockings should be applied in the morning to minimize edema before ambulating. Signup and view all the answers

What are the criteria for defining hypertension in adults?

Hypertension is defined as a systolic pressure greater than 140 mm Hg, or a diastolic pressure equal to or greater than 90 mm Hg on multiple occasions. Signup and view all the answers

What is arteriosclerosis and how does it relate to cardiovascular diseases?

Arteriosclerosis is the loss of elasticity and hardening of arterial walls, often leading to atherosclerosis. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascular Disorders

Electrocardiogram (ECG): Records heart's electrical activity to assess heart damage, irregularities, and electrolyte imbalances.
Cardiac Catheterization: Introduces a catheter into the heart and surrounding vessels to measure pressures, determine cardiac output, and confirm coronary vessel presence. Nursing care after this procedure is crucial due to potential complications.
Holter Monitor: Records a 24-hour ambulatory ECG. Patients keep a diary recording activities.
Serum Enzymes: Elevated enzymes (SGPT, LDH, CK) indicate myocardial damage. CK, CPK-MB, and Cardiac Troponin 1 are more specific markers.
Angina Pectoris: Severe chest pain (5-10 mins) relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.
Myocardial Infarction (MI): Cardiac muscle death due to prolonged insufficient blood supply.
Heart Failure: Group of symptoms resulting from reduced heart pumping efficiency.
Left Heart Failure: Congestion in the lungs due to inadequate blood ejection into systemic circulation. Symptoms include orthopnea, cough, and crackles.
Right Heart Failure: Systemic congestion due to poor blood pumping from systemic circulation to the lungs. Symptoms include peripheral edema, ascites, jugular vein distension, and hepatomegaly.
Acute Pulmonary Edema: Excessive fluid in the pulmonary interstitial spaces. Symptoms include moist rales and pink, frothy sputum.
Peripheral Vascular Disorders: Narrowing, obstruction, or damage to arteries or veins causing ischemia (lack of blood flow) or venous stasis.

Arterial Disorders

Pain Associated with Arterial Disease: Pain triggered by activity, relieved by rest, and worsened by elevation.
Intermittent Claudication: Leg pain after exercise, relieved by rest.
Buerger's Disease (Thromboangitis Obliterans): Recurring inflammation of small and medium arteries/veins in extremities. Usually caused by thrombus formation. Smoking is a primary risk factor.
Raynaud's Disease: Intermittent constriction of cutaneous blood vessels, triggered by cold, stress, caffeine, or tobacco. Commonly affects women aged 16-40. Protective measures like gloves are crucial.
Allen's Test: Evaluates hand circulation by compressing radial and ulnar arteries and observing color return upon release.
Arterial Ulcers: Caused by peripheral vascular disease. Locations like the tips of toes.

Venous Disorders

Thrombophlebitis: Inflammation of a vein with thrombus formation. A positive Homan's sign (calf pain with dorsiflexion) may indicate a deep vein clot. Leg massage is contraindicated.
Homan's Sign: Pain in the calf during foot dorsiflexion. Positive result can suggest a deep vein clot. Note: Not a reliable diagnostic test.
Varicose Veins: Enlarged, twisted superficial veins (saphenous) due to incompetent valves, mostly in lower extremities. Treatments like ligation and stripping are options.
Venous Ulcers: Caused by chronic venous insufficiency (DVT, varicose veins, valve defects, prolonged immobility, CHF).
Treatment Goal (Varicose Veins): Promote venous return with activity and discourage prolonged immobility. Post-operative care for those with ligation/stripping may involve elevation, compression stockings, and anticoagulants.

Additional Information

Aneurysms: Localized/diffuse dilatations/outpouchings of vessel walls (typically arteries). Pain (intermittent low back, constant, boring, neuralgic), pulsating mass, and abdominal/chest wall/periumbilical pulsation are possible symptoms.
Edema Measurement: Assessing edema with the depth of thumb depression (1+, 2+, 3+, 4+).
Bruit and Thrills: Turbulent blood flow through stenotic vessels creating a sound (bruit). Checking for bruits and thrills in clients with dialysis shunts is important.
Nursing Measures: Moving legs frequently to prevent venous thrombosis. Placing patients with thrombi on bed rest. Applying support stockings in the morning and removing twice a day.
Heart Failure Manifestations: Distended neck veins and dependent pitting edema.
MI Complication (Catheterization): Potential for an MI during catheterization. Report chest pains immediately.
Pacemaker Post-Op Care: Restrict vigorous arm and shoulder movements for approximately 6 weeks.
Hypertension Definition: Systolic pressure > 140 mmHg or diastolic pressure ≥ 90 mmHg on three+ occasions over weeks. Prevention focuses on managing risk factors.
Arteriosclerosis: Loss of arterial elasticity, thickening, and hardening (atherosclerosis as a common type). Leads to MI and angina pectoris.
Comparison of Arterial and Venous Disorders: Read further to compare associated pain, triggers, and treatment approaches.

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Description

This quiz covers essential topics related to cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disorders, including ECG interpretation, cardiac catheterization, and the implications of serum enzyme levels. It also addresses notable conditions like angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. Test your knowledge on these important aspects of cardiovascular health!