Cardiac Physiology Basics
What are the two main circulations of the heart?
What is: Pulmonary and Systemic
Why is a baseline SpO2 important in cyanotic children before cardiac cath?
What is: To recognize true oxygen drops during or after the procedure.
What is the most common cause of heart failure in children?
What defect involves four problems, including VSD and pulmonary stenosis?
What causes Kawasaki Disease?
What is: An abnormal immune response causing inflammation of blood vessels.
What is the formula for Cardiac Output (CO)?
What is: CO= Heart rate x Stroke Volume
After cardiac cath, why must the leg stay straight for 4-8 hours?
What is: to prevent bleeding from the puncture site.
Name three common signs of pediatric heart failure?
What is: Tachypnea, poor feeding, sweating, hepatomegaly, fatigue, FTT.
In coarctation of the aorta, where are pulses stronger- arms or legs?
What is: Arms (upper extremities).
What medication is key in treating Kawasaki Disease?
Why do infants rely more on heart rate to maintain cardiac output?
What is: They can't increase stroke volume much.
What symptoms must be reported immediately after a cardiac cath?
What is: Chest pain, difficulty breathing, bleeding, absent pulses.
Why does pulmonary congestion occur in left-sided heart failure?
What is: Blood backs into the pulmonary veins and lungs.
What defect causes mixing of all blood through one large vessel leaving the heart?
What is: Truncus arteriosus.
Why is aspirin continued long-term for Kawasaki Disease?
What is: To prevent clot formation in inflamed coronary arteries.
What happens to preload when a child is dehydrated?
What is: It decreases (less volume returning to the heart)
What are key home instructions after cardiac cath?
What is: Keep site dry, avoid baths and strenuous activity, monitor for bleeding or fever.
What is the purpose of digoxin in heart failure?
What is: Improves cardiac contractility and cardiac output.
Which CHD causes two separate parallel circulations?
What is: Transposition of the Great Arteries.
What infection leads to Rheumatic Fever?
What is: Untreated Group A strep throat.
What is the danger of bradycardia in infants?
What is: It quickly lowers cardiac output, leading to hypotension and shock.
Why is cardiac rhythm monitored post cardiac cath?
What is: The catheter can irritate heart tissue, causing arrhythmias.
What are two key nursing priorities when giving digoxin?
What is: Correctly calculate and draw up dose, monitor for signs of toxicity (bradycardia, nausea, vomiting).
What CHD has an underdeveloped left ventricle that requires staged surgeries?
What is: Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS).
What's the main difference between rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (RHD)?
What is: Rheumatic fever is the inflammation, RHD is the permanent valve damage.