All Things Cardiac
When during the cardiac cycle to the coronary arteries fill?
During diastole
A patient has Tricuspid valve disease. The nurse expects to auscultate a murmur loudest at what location?
4th intercostal space left sternal border.
Why is it important to document CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc Score?
Stroke Risk
What should the nurse teach a patient with heart failure about home exercise?
Eventually work up to 30 minutes every day.
What is the most common dysrhythmia in the world?
Atrial Fibrillation
The patient states, “My doctor said my ejection fraction (EF) is 65 and I forgot what it means. What does it mean?” What is the nurse’s best response?
“It is the percentage of blood ejected in one beat. Sixty-five is normal.”
A patient with aortic regurgitation asks a nurse what regurgitation means. What is the nurse’s best response?
The valve leaks allowing blood to back flow
The nurse notes that the PR interval on a patient’s ECG tracing is 0.14 seconds. What action should the nurse take?
Document the finding as the only action
When assessing a patient’s modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, what would the nurse want to include in the history? (4)
Physical inactivity
Cholesterol level
Blood pressure
Tobacco use
A 79-year-old patient is taking furosemide (Lasix) for treatment of heart failure. This patient is very independent and wants to continue to live at home, despite his diagnosis. What teaching is important for this patient?
He should be careful standing up due to possible orthostatic hypotension.
A patient has been taking lisinopril (Prinivil) for treatment of hypertension. The nurse monitors the patient for which of the following side effects? (2)
Cough
Dizziness
A patient has mitral valve disease. The nurse expects to auscultate a murmur loudest at what location?
5th intercostal space left midclavicular line.
A patient with aortic valve disease has presented to the clinic for further evaluation of the valve. Which chamber of the heart will be affected first if the aortic valve is narrowed?
Left ventricle
A patient with a history of previous myocardial infarction is admitted with heart failure. What statement made by the patient would alert the nurse to suspect the presence of left heart failure?
“I have trouble breathing when climbing the stairs to reach the bedroom.”
Which of the following statements made by a patient scheduled for a cardiac catheterization in the afternoon, indicates a need for further teaching?
“The nurse will be checking me often after the procedure.”
“The test could take from one to three hours.”
“I cannot eat or drink after I eat a light breakfast.”
“I will be free to walk around as soon as it’s over.”
“I will be free to walk around as soon as it’s over.”
A patient taking furosemide (Lasix) for one week complains of dizziness when standing up to walk to the toilet. What is the nurse’s best action?
Teach the patient about blood pressure safety measures to follow while taking the medication.
The nurse recognizes that afterload is increased when?
Arteries are constricted.
A patient who is scheduled for a trans-esophageal echocardiogram asks why this test is being performed. What is the nurse’s best response?
To assess the structure of the heart, especially the valves.
Including moderate exercise in the teaching plan for a patient with cardiovascular disease can help to control which of the following risk factors? List 3
High blood pressure.
High cholesterol.
Obesity.
A patient with acute congestive heart failure has an advanced directive indicating no mechanical ventilation. The patient develops severe dyspnea and a change in level of consciousness. What is the nurse’s best action?
Request orders for intravenous morphine and furosemide (Lasix)
The patient with right heart failure asks the nurse to explain the necessity of taking a daily weight. What would be the nurse’s best response?
Weight changes can indicate that you are gaining or losing fluid.
The nurse is most concerned about which of the following diagnostic test results?
Ejection fraction (EF) 20%
Troponin T 0.01 ng/ml
Serum potassium 5.1 mmol/L
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) 95pg/ml
Ejection fraction (EF) 20%
Before administering furosemide (Lasix) to a patient with heart failure, the nurse should assess which of the following? (4)
Serum potassium level.
Heart rate.
Medication allergy.
Blood pressure.
The nurse is assessing a patient who has congestive heart failure. Which of the following patient findings should the nurse report to the health care provider?
Recent weight gain.
Confusion.
Urine output of 25 ml/hr
Which of these collaborative measures, if included in the care plan for a patient with heart failure, would be most effective to reduce preload?
Inject furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg intravenously over 2 minutes BID.