If a patient had a thoracic aneurysm what might you see on a xray?
Widening mediastinal shadow and displacement or compression of the trachea
200
Where do most AAAs occur
distal to the renal arteries because the vessel is weaker than proximal to kidneys
200
What is the difference between an aneurysm and a dissection
An aneurysm is a bulge whereas a dissection is a tear in the vessel
200
Which of the following presentations indicates a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm?
- upper/lower back pain
- increased/decreased BP
- increased/decreased RBCs
- increased/decreased WBCs
- lower back pain
- decreased BP
- decreased RBCs
- increased WBCs
200
A patient comes in to the ED with abdominal pain. Work up reveals a large AAA. What plan of care should the nurse expect?
Admission to surgical unit and resection will be scheduled
200
What are some modifable risk factors for aneurysms that are potential educational opportunities for nurses?
What is blue toe syndrome and what is it an indication of
Embolizing plaque
300
When is an aortic aneurysm usually discovered?
on routine exams
300
What is the definitve test used to diagnose an AAA?
Arteriogram
300
What sound is heard on auscultation over the abdominal region of a AAA?
Bruit
400
Which condition is responsible for more than 50% of AAAs?
- Syphilis
- PVD
- DM
- HTN
HTN
400
What are 3 clinical manifestations of a TAA?
- pain in jaw, neck, back, or chest
- coughing or hoarseness
- SOB
- trouble swallowing
400
What are 2 indications for surgical repair of an aortic aneurysm?
- diameter > 5.5cm
- rapidly expanding aneurysm (>.5cm over 6 months)
- symptomatic aneurysm of any size
- rupture
400
2 types of surgical repair for aortic aneurysms
- traditional surgery with prosthetic graft
- Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR): stent placed percutaneously through groin.
400
Your patient is post op aortic aneurysm repair, he presents with tachycardia, hypotension, elevated creatinine, and cold/clammy skin. What do you suspect?
- Hemorrhage
500
What can a TAA resemble and what test is used to differentiate this?
TAA can present with pain in the chest, jaw, and back which can resemble an MI. An EKG is used to rule out MI.
500
Name at least 3 clinical manifestations of an AAA rupture
- sudden, severe lower abdominal pain
- nausea and vomiting
- problems with urination
- clammy sweaty skin
- lightheaded
- tachycardia
- hypotension
500
Your patient is status post prosthetic graft placement and you find on assessment decreased pulses in the extremities and JVD, what do you suspect is happening?
graft occulsion
500
What is the best way for hemodynamic monitoring post operatively