Inflammatory Heart Disorders
A patient with myocarditis is at risk for developing this life-threatening complication.
What is sudden cardiac death (SCD)?
A nurse educates a patient with myocarditis that this activity should be restricted during the acute phase to prevent further cardiac damage.
What is physical activity or exercise?
This diagnostic test is crucial for assessing valvular heart disease by evaluating blood flow and chamber size.
What is echocardiography?
Intermittent claudication is a classic symptom of this vascular disease.
What is peripheral artery disease (PAD)?
A Doppler ultrasound with duplex imaging is commonly used to diagnose these two vascular conditions.
What are peripheral artery disease (PAD) and venous thromboembolism (VTE)?
This lifestyle modification is the single most important intervention to slow the progression of PAD.
What is smoking cessation?
A patient presents with severe chest pain that worsens with inspiration and is relieved when sitting up. The nurse suspects this condition.
What is pericarditis?
Patients with rheumatic fever should be educated on completing their full course of this type of medication to prevent recurrence.
What are antibiotics?
A nurse knows that the initial symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy include these two common complaints.
What are exercise intolerance and fatigue?
A systolic bruit and a pulsatile abdominal mass are signs of this potentially life-threatening vascular condition.
What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
This anticoagulant is commonly used for long-term prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and requires regular INR monitoring.
What is warfarin (Coumadin)?
A patient with critical limb ischemia may require this surgical intervention to restore blood flow.
What is revascularization (e.g., bypass surgery or angioplasty)?
This test is crucial for diagnosing infective endocarditis and involves taking three separate samples.
What are blood cultures?
This medication is commonly prescribed for pericarditis to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
What are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?
This diagnostic procedure, which uses a flexible tube with an ultrasound probe, provides a detailed assessment of heart valve function.
What is a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)?
A patient with an arterial thrombus in the lower extremities may present with these five classic symptoms, known as the five P’s.
What are pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesia, and paralysis?
The primary goal in the management of an aortic aneurysm is to prevent this serious, life-threatening complication.
What is rupture?
A nurse educates a patient with a venous ulcer to maintain a diet high in these nutrients to promote wound healing.
What are protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, and zinc?
A nurse suspects rheumatic fever in a patient who had a sore throat three weeks ago and now presents with joint pain and nodules. This previous infection is the likely cause.
What is Group A streptococcal pharyngitis?
A nurse educates a patient with infective endocarditis about the need for prophylactic antibiotics before undergoing these procedures.
What are dental and invasive procedures?
A nurse instructs a patient with cardiomyopathy to avoid consuming large amounts of this common substance, as it can exacerbate symptoms.
What is alcohol?
A patient with chronic venous insufficiency presents with venous ulcers. The nurse knows that wound healing is promoted by applying this type of therapy.
What is compression therapy?
A patient with a confirmed VTE should be started on this anticoagulant therapy immediately to prevent further clotting.
What is low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH)?
This life-threatening complication occurs when a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) dislodges and travels to the lungs.
What is a pulmonary embolism (PE)?
A patient with myocarditis should be extra cautious with this medication due to its increased risk of worsening myocardial damage.
What is digoxin (Lanoxin)?
This inflammatory heart condition can result in permanent damage to heart valves and is a chronic complication of rheumatic fever.
What is rheumatic heart disease?
A nurse knows that management of dilated cardiomyopathy includes these two major drug classes to reduce cardiac workload.
What are beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors?
A nurse educating a patient about varicose veins emphasizes this as the most important preventative measure.
What is regular exercise and leg elevation?
A patient diagnosed with Raynaud’s phenomenon is prescribed this first-line medication to improve blood flow.
What are calcium channel blockers?
A patient with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) should avoid this type of movement to prevent embolization.
What is vigorous massage of the affected limb?
For a patient with infective endocarditis, the nurse knows that treatment includes prolonged administration of this type of medication.
What are intravenous antibiotics?
This diagnostic test is the gold standard for detecting vegetations in patients with suspected infective endocarditis.
What is transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)?
Management of dilated cardiomyopathy follows the same treatment plan as this chronic heart condition.
What is heart failure?
A nurse educating a patient with venous thromboembolism (VTE) emphasizes the importance of this intervention to prevent further clot formation.
What is early ambulation and leg exercises?
Patients with varicose veins should be encouraged to elevate their legs periodically throughout the day to reduce this symptom.
What is venous pooling or edema?
Patients with varicose veins should be encouraged to engage in this activity regularly to promote venous return.
What is walking or exercise?
A nurse suspects this condition when a patient presents with fever, Osler’s nodes, Janeway lesions, and a new heart murmur.
What is infective endocarditis?
A nurse is monitoring for cardiac tamponade in a patient with pericarditis. This classic triad of symptoms indicates tamponade.
What is narrowed pulse pressure, jugular vein distension, and muffled heart sounds?
An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) may be used in patients with cardiomyopathy to prevent this life-threatening event.
What is sudden cardiac death (SCD)?
This class of medication, commonly prescribed for PAD, prevents platelet aggregation and reduces the risk of clot formation.
What are antiplatelet drugs (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel)?
Recommended medication for patient to manage PAD
What is statins (simvastatin), ACE inhibitors (ramipril), and oral antiplatelet (aspirin)?
A patient with Raynaud’s phenomenon is advised to avoid exposure to this environmental factor, which triggers vasoconstriction.
What is cold temperature?