Patho
Assessment Findings
Meds & Treatments
Nursing care & Interventions
Complications & Safety
100

In coronary artery disease, this process causes narrowing of the arteries and reduced oxygen to the heart.

atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arterial walls)

100

A patient with CAD reports chest pain radiating to the left arm and jaw. What classic symptom is this?

angina  

100

This emergency medication improves blood flow to the heart during angina attacks.

nitroglycerin

100

What position helps ease breathing in patients with valve disease or heart failure

high-Fowler’s position

100

A patient with valve disease suddenly develops shortness of breath, crackles, and pink frothy sputum. What complication is this

pulmonary edema

200

In aortic stenosis, the valve fails to open fully, causing increased pressure and this change in the left ventricle.

left ventricular hypertrophy

200

This sound, a “click” or “whooshing,” may be heard when auscultating a patient with a valve disorder.

murmur

200

This medication class slows heart rate and decreases cardiac workload, used in CAD and valvular disease.

What are beta blockers

200

The nurse should teach a patient taking warfarin to avoid foods high in this vitamin

vitamin K

200

Patients with valve disease are at risk for this infection of the heart lining and valves.

infective endocarditis

300

Mitral regurgitation allows blood to flow backward from the left ventricle into this chamber

left atrium

300

A patient with mitral stenosis has dyspnea, orthopnea, and crackles. These indicate what complication?

What is left-sided heart failure

300

Patients with mechanical valve replacements require this lifelong medication and lab monitoring.

warfarin with INR monitoring (2.5–3.5)?

300

Before giving diuretics, what two assessments are most important

blood pressure and potassium level

300

A patient with valvular disease gains 3 pounds in one week. What should the nurse do?

notify the healthcare provider (possible fluid overload)?

400

Mitral stenosis most commonly results from this past infection that scars the valve

rheumatic fever

400

A bounding or “water hammer” pulse is often seen in this valvular condition.

aortic regurgitation

400

This surgical procedure replaces a diseased aortic valve through a catheter inserted in the femoral artery.

TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement)

400

Patients with valvular disease should receive this preventive treatment before dental procedures.

prophylactic antibiotics

400

After valve surgery, the nurse should monitor for this potentially fatal complication involving muffled heart sounds and JVD.

cardiac tamponade (Beck’s triad)

500

In aortic regurgitation, the left ventricle experiences this type of overload due to backflow during diastole.

volume overload (increased preload)

500

Patients with aortic stenosis often experience this “triad” of symptoms.

angina, syncope, and dyspnea on exertion

500

Name one medication that reduces afterload and improves cardiac output in mitral or aortic regurgitation.

ACE inhibitor (lisinopril)

or

 vasodilator (hydralazine) 

500

The nurse teaches a patient with mitral valve prolapse to avoid these substances that can trigger palpitations.

caffeine, alcohol, and stimulants

500

This abnormal heart rhythm is a common and serious complication of mitral valve disease

atrial fibrillation

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