Lab Love
What is troponin?
This imaging tool is fast, efficient, and can help to determine cardiac and pulmonary pathologies with minimal risk.
What is a chest x-ray (CXR)?
The nurse is aware that this lead is placed at the mid-clavicular line in the fifth intercostal space (12-lead ECG).
What is V4?
Post a left heart catheterization the nurse assesses the closure device for this complication.
This neurohormone is commonly used to detect fluid overload in patients.
What is Brain-Natiuretic Peptide (BNP)?
The nurse assesses for these allergies prior to any cardiac imaging exam that utilizes contrast.
What are contrast, iodine, and shellfish allergies?
A patient with frequent self-identifiable symptoms might be ordered this outpatient cardiac test.
What is an event monitor?
Post a procedure in the Electrophysiology lab with femoral arterial access the nurse assigns this activity restriction on the patient within the protocol parameters.
What is bedrest?
What is high density lipoprotein (HDL)?
Nurses should review manufacturer guidelines if patients with implantable devices are ordered this test.
What is an MRI or MRA?
These substances should be avoided in preparation for a myocardial nuclear perfusion imaging test (ETT/SPECT).
What are caffeine and tobacco?
A patient had a coronary CT-Angiogram (CTA) with contrast to determine atherosclerosis. The nurse notes the urine output to be 20 cc/hr. The nurse checks these lab results to determine if a complication has developed. (name at least two)
What are Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), GFR, and Creatinine?
An elevated level of this inflammatory protein can help to determine relative cardiac risk.
What is Cardio selective C-Reactive Protein (CRPC)?
This invasive ultrasound gets can get a close look at the right atrium and is useful prior to cardioversions and for determining valvular vegetation.
What is a trans-esophageal echocardiogram (TEE)?
The nurse monitors the ECG in the recovery phase of an exercise tolerance test (ETT) for these.
What are re-perfusion arrhythmias?
A patient who is status post a left heart catheterization has a 2 point reduction in the glascow coma scale and reports right-sided weakness. The nurse suspects this complication?
What is a stroke (CVA)?
This lab will detect myocardial damage for a week or longer after the event due to a delayed "peak".
What is LDH?
The nurse anticipates this test to be ordered prior to cardiovascular surgery to determine pulmonary artery pressure?
What is a right-heart catheterization?
A patient without any documented arrhythmia or identifiable cardiovascular symptoms might be ordered this electrical test after they sustained a CVA (stroke).
A patient is status post bilateral heart catheterization and the nurse is performing a targeted assessment. The patient's heart sounds have an audible S1 and S2 but they sound less distinct than during the nurse's pre-test assessment. This prompts the nurse to assess these two other objective data points.
What are blood pressure and neck veins? (remember Beck's Triad for cardiac tamponade)