Cardiac med surg unit Part 1

The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels (arteries, capillaries, veins).

The heart is located in the mediastinum within the thoracic cavity, enclosed by three membranes.

The outermost membrane that forms a loose pericardial sac around the heart.

The parietal and visceral pericardium are serous membranes that reduce friction with serous fluid.

The heart has four chambers: right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, and left ventricle.

The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the coronary sinus and vena cavae, sending it to the right ventricle.

Valves like the tricuspid and pulmonary semilunar prevent backflow during heart contractions and relaxations.

Coronary arteries supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle and return deoxygenated blood to the right atrium.

Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via pulmonary veins.

Valve between left atrium and left ventricle; prevents backflow during systole.

Pumps oxygenated blood to the body; has thicker walls than the right ventricle.

Valve that prevents backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole.

Connective tissue strands that anchor valve cusps to the ventricle walls.

Muscle columns that contract to help prevent valve hyperextension during systole.

Pathway of electrical impulses that initiates and regulates heartbeat.

Pacemaker of the heart; initiates heartbeats and sets rhythm.

Sequence of mechanical events in one heartbeat; includes systole and diastole.

Amount of blood ejected by a ventricle in one contraction.

Volume of blood ejected from the left ventricle in one minute; influenced by heart rate and stroke volume.

Percentage of blood ejected from the left ventricle per heartbeat; normal is 55%-70%.

As venous return increases, the heart contracts more forcefully, increasing stroke volume.

Hormone secreted by the atria to increase sodium and fluid excretion, reducing blood volume.

Carry blood away from the heart under high pressure; have thick walls.

Carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart; have thinner walls than arteries.

Arteries use smooth muscle to redirect blood flow.

The simple squamous epithelium lining the arteries and veins.

Veins carry blood to the heart and have thinner walls than arteries.

Folds in vein endothelium that prevent backflow of blood.

Small blood vessels where gas and nutrient exchange occurs.

Smooth muscle ring controlling blood flow into capillaries.

The process allowing gas exchange across capillary walls.

Movement of fluids out of capillaries for tissue nourishment.

The force exerted by blood against vessel walls, measured in mm Hg.

Systolic is the peak pressure during heartbeats; diastolic is the lowest between beats.

A hormone system that regulates blood pressure via the kidneys.

Hormone that increases water absorption by kidneys, raising blood pressure.

The flow of blood back to the heart through veins.

The difference between systolic and diastolic pressures.

A grating sound from pericardial surfaces rubbing during a heartbeat.

Patient sitting and leaning forward enhances sound clarity.

Best heard to the left of the sternum using a stethoscope diaphragm.

May occur after myocardial infarction (MI) or chest trauma.

Includes shortness of breath, ankle edema, and distant heart tones.

Diagnosed with acute MI and heart failure without chest pain.

Collect and document data on ankle edema accurately.

Document Mrs. Cheung’s weight in kilograms for medical records.

Factors that increase the severity of pain, such as activity for angina.

Factors that relieve pain, like rest or medications for angina.

Leg pain due to decreased blood flow, worsened by activity.

Pain from severe arterial occlusion that increases while lying down.

Characteristics of pain including onset, duration, and frequency.

Scale to rate pain from 0 to 10 for assessment.

Shortness of breath possibly linked to heart conditions.

Awareness of irregular heartbeats, may feel like racing or pounding.

Tiredness due to reduced cardiac output in heart failure.

Swelling from fluid accumulation, often in feet and legs.

Abnormal sensations like numbness or tingling in extremities.

Modifiable lifestyle factors include diet, exercise, smoking, and stress.

Normal blood pressure is <120/80 mm Hg; comparisons needed.

Drop in blood pressure when standing, causing dizziness or fainting.

Steps to ensure correct blood pressure readings for assessment.

The circuit that carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for gas exchange.

The circuit that pumps oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body and returns deoxygenated blood.

Blood from digestive organs flows through the portal vein to the liver before returning to the heart.

The buildup of lipids in artery walls, leading to narrowing and possible clot formation.

Refers to various diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels, affecting millions of adults.

A heart attack, often indicated by chest pain, but symptoms may differ in older adults.

Measurements like heart rate and blood pressure used to assess cardiovascular health.

Can signify decreased cardiac output and potential heart issues.

Swelling of neck veins, often a sign of right-sided heart failure.

Difficulties in daily activities caused by cardiovascular issues, noted during assessment.

A normal decrease in systolic BP of up to 15 mm Hg upon standing, with diastolic changes.

Increased heart rate by 15-20 beats per minute in response to a drop in blood pressure.

Commonly includes lightheadedness or syncope due to reduced blood flow to the brain.

Can be caused by factors like fluid deficit, medications, or chronic illness.

Involves measuring BP and heart rate in lying, sitting, and standing positions.

A condition where there are fewer radial pulses than apical beats, indicating a problem.

Describes pulse quality as absent (0), weak (1+), normal (2+), or bounding (3+).

A standard heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute.

Older adults are at higher risk for orthostatic hypotension due to various health factors.

Pink, frothy sputum indicates acute heart failure; dry cough may result from lung congestion.

Document all BP readings carefully, noting patient's position and any symptoms during measurement.

Ensure patient is positioned correctly: lying flat for at least 5 minutes before measurements.

A bruit is an abnormal sound heard due to turbulent blood flow; a thrill is a vibration felt over a vessel.

Use walking aids and assistive devices for patients at risk of fainting due to low BP.

Dark blue skin and mucous membranes indicating poor oxygenation.

Paleness of skin, often indicating anemia or low blood flow.

Red discoloration in lower extremities due to decreased arterial blood flow.

Conditions that cause brown discoloration or swelling in dependent extremities.

Time taken for color to return to the nailbed after pressure is released; normal is 3 seconds or less.

Nailbeds swell and lose angle due to long-term oxygen deficiency.

Pain, Paresthesia, Pallor, Pulselessness, Paralysis, Poikilothermia.

Inability to maintain body temperature; matches environment's temperature.

Temporary indentation left after pressing on swollen skin.

Sounds produced by closing heart valves during the cardiac cycle.

Key areas to listen for heart sounds: aortic, pulmonic, Erb's point, tricuspid, mitral.

Prolonged swishing sound due to valve issues, such as narrowing or leakage.

A low-pitched sound heard early in diastole, normal in younger adults.

A low-pitched sound occurring late in diastole, often associated with heart conditions.