Heart
Changes on an EKC tracing indicating an NSTEMI MI
What are: ST segment elevation and t-wave inversion
Patient needs a cardiac cath. As the nurse, how would you explain the reason for this test?
To assess how blocked or open coronary arteries are
Which patient does the nurse see first?
troponin 10.2 ng/mL
INR 2.6
aPTT 80 sec
BNP 75 pg/mL
Troponin 10.2
The electrical conduction of the heart originates in the SA node. Where does it go from there?
SA node to AV node to bundle of HIS to Purkinje fibers
This is the most important assessment while caring for a post op cath patient.
Observe puncture site for swelling or bleeding
Patient is being monitored on the telemetry unit. The nurse notes an abnormal wave. What is the nurse's priority
This is the antidote to warfarin
Vitamin K
During a post femoral cath assessment, how does the nurse assess perfusion of the leg?
Temp, color, sensation of the toes, cap refill of the toes, popliteal pulse
Which lab tests are the priority for a patient with chest pain to help diagnose an MI?
Troponin
CK-MB
Patient gained 10 pounds in 2 days and has an elevated BNP. The nurse interprets this as
Heart Failure exacerbation.
A post op cardiac cath patient has blood oozing from the cath site. What is the nurse's priority?
Don gloves and apply direct pressure
Patient is post op day 1 from bypass surgery. What is the nurse's priority assessment?
Assess pulse of affected extremity every 15 minutes at first
Patient is complaining of severe chest paint. EKG shows ST elevation. This is the nurse's priority
Reduce pain and myocardial oxygen demand
Patient is undergoing a stress test and develops chest pain. This is the first thing the nurse should do?
Stop the test and monitor the patient
Pre op AAA patient reports NEW severe low back pain. What is the nurse's priority action?
Notify the surgeon of new onset back pain STAT