Thoracic Surgeries
This minimally invasive lung surgery uses small incisions and a camera.
What is VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery)?
This bedside ultrasound test evaluates global cardiac function and pericardial effusion
What is a transthoracic echocardiogram?
This common symptom of worsening heart failure is caused by fluid backing up into the lungs and often gets worse when lying flat.
What is shortness of breath (dyspnea/orthopnea)?
Irregularly irregular rhythm with no P waves.
What is atrial fibrillation?
This drug is the first-line IV therapy for stable wide-complex tachycardia.
What is amiodarone?
A major postoperative risk after lobectomy that presents with hypotension and low urine output
What is hypovolemia?
This invasive procedure measures pressures in the right and left sides of the heart.
What is cardiac catheterization?
Weight gain of more than this amount in 24 hours should prompt an HF patient to call their provider.
What is 2–3 pounds?
This tachyarrhythmia is treated first with vagal maneuvers and adenosine.
What is SVT?
This medication must be given rapidly (in 1–2 seconds) followed by a flush for effectiveness.
What is adenosine?
Nurses must monitor for this potentially deadly complication if large amounts of chest tube output occur suddenly after thoracic surgery.
What is hemorrhage?
What is the procedure called where a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure is used to reduce stroke risk in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who cannot tolerate long-term anticoagulation?
What is a watchman procedure?
This lab value, released from ventricles during stretch, helps diagnose HF exacerbations.
What is BNP (or NT-proBNP)?
A widened QRS (>0.12 sec) with tachycardia suggests this ventricular rhythm.
What is ventricular tachycardia?
This electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of digoxin toxicity and can trigger dangerous arrhythmias, making correction essential before giving many antiarrhythmic drugs.
What is hypokalemia?
What treatment is a chest tube placed for? And can you name all of the chest tube compartments?
What is Pnemothorax, hemothorax, pleural effusion.
Suction port, Suction control, Orange suction bellow, water seal chamber, drainage port, and collection chamber.
This device assists a failing left ventricle by mechanically pumping blood into the aorta.
What is an LVAD (left ventricular assist device)?
This medication therapy improves survival in HFrEF by reducing sympathetic nervous system activity and decreasing heart rate.
What are beta-blockers?
This lethal rhythm requires immediate defibrillation and CPR.
What is ventricular fibrillation?
This Class III antiarrhythmic is used for atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, but must be avoided in patients with prolonged QT because it can worsen torsades de pointes.
What is sotalol?
This intervention helps prevent atelectasis after thoracic surgery and should be encouraged hourly
What is incentive spirometry?
This catheter-based procedure repairs severe aortic stenosis without open-heart surgery.
What is TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement)?
In regards to post transplant medications, what is very important for patients on prograf (Tacrolimus)?
What is to please ensure all AM lab has been drawn before AM dose of prograf is administered.
This type of AV block shows progressive PR prolongation until a QRS is dropped.
What is Mobitz I (Wenckebach)?
This electrolyte should be corrected to treat torsades de pointes.
What is magnesium?