Inspection
What is indicated by visible cyanosis of the lips, nail beds, or mucous membranes during inspection?
What is decreased oxygenation/perfusion or hypoxemia?
You palpate a strong, bounding pulse at the radial artery. What grade would you assign it?
4+
You’re auscultating the heart. What physiological event corresponds with the S1 heart sound?
What is closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves during ventricular systole?
What is a life-threatening condition where fluid compresses the heart and impairs ventricular filling?
What is cardiac tamponade?
Which pulse is readily assessable in children and adults?
What is the carotid pulse?
What visible pulsation is normally seen at the 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line?
What is the apical impulse?
ou’re assessing capillary refill. What would a refill time >2 seconds suggest in a lower extremity?
What is poor perfusion, possibly from arterial compromise?
During auscultation of the heart, you hear "lub-dub-ee." How would you document this finding?
What is an S3 gallop?
What condition causes narrowing of the aorta in children?
What is Coarctation of the aorta?
What is often the earliest sign of cardiac disease in older adults?
What is fatigue
During assessment you discover dilated, engorged, and tortuous veins. How would you document this finding?
What is varicose veins?
A vibration is felt over the precordium while palpating the chest. What does this finding suggest?
What is a thrill, often associated with a murmur?
On auscultation, you hear a turbulent swishing over the carotid artery. What is this finding called, and what does it indicate?
What is a bruit, suggesting arterial narrowing or plaque?
A client reports cramping calf pain when walking that resolves with rest. What vascular disorder does this suggest?
What is peripheral arterial disease?
At what point post-delivery does the ductus arteriosus typically close in a newborn?
What is within 24 to 48 hours after birth?
You observe jugular venous distention. What condition might you suspect?
What is right-sided heart failure or fluid overload.
During palpation of the apical impulse you notice it to be more forceful. How would you characterize it?
What is a "heave" or a "lift"?
Upon auscultation of the mitral valve you note a swooshing sound. What is this?
Murmur from a diseased valve
This inflammatory disease can occur after strep throat and affect heart valves.
What is acute rheumatic fever?
What positioning promotes blood return in a patient with peripheral venous disease?
What is elevating the legs?
A nurse observes an indurated wound with shallow depth and surrounding edema near the medial malleolus. What condition does this likely indicate?
What is venous ulcer?
While assessing the apical impulse, you find it displaced to the right. What does this suggest?
What is dextrocardia or diaphragmatic hernia.
A patient presents with left ventricular hypertrophy and poorly controlled hypertension. You auscultate a low-frequency sound just before S1. What is the name of this sound, and what causes it?
What is an S4 gallop, caused by atrial contraction against a stiff, noncompliant ventricle?
This condition, often seen in premature infants, results from failure of a normal fetal shunt to close and can lead to bounding pulses, widened pulse pressure, and pulmonary overload.
What is patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)?
What three classic signs are known as the “3 P’s” of acute arterial occlusion?
What are pain, pallor, and pulselessness?