Feel the Rhythm
In this rhythm, the atria quiver at a rate of 350 to 600 times per minute, and there are no definitive P waves, only "fibrillatory waves."
What is Atrial Fibrillation?
This is the "gold standard" noninvasive diagnostic procedure used to visualize the structure and movement of heart valve
What is an Echocardiogram?
If a pregnant patient’s Magnesium level reaches 10 mEq/L, the nurse will likely observe this specific physical assessment change.
What is loss of Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTRs)?
After a CABG, the nurse should encourage the patient to use this device every hour while awake to prevent atelectasis.
What is an Incentive Spirometer?
For patients with hypertension, this dietary plan—rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy—is the standard recommendation.
What is the DASH diet?
This specific waveform change on an ECG indicates myocardial cell injury (infarction), whereas a "depressed" version usually indicates ischemia.
What is ST-segment elevation?
In a patient with Mitral Stenosis, the nurse would expect to hear this while listening.
What is a murmur?
This classification of hypertension occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy, features high blood pressure, but notably lacks proteinuria.
What is Gestational Hypertension?
A nurse monitoring a patient after a valve replacement hears a "soft, audible clicking sound." This is interpreted as which type of finding?
What is a normal/expected finding (for a mechanical prosthetic valve)?
This specific ECG finding, characterized by the ST segment dipping below the baseline, is a classic sign of myocardial ischemia.
What is ST-segment depression?
This medication is the first-line treatment for a patient with symptomatic sinus bradycardia to increase the heart rate to at least 60 bpm.
What is Atropine Sulfate?
This measurement is calculated by dividing the ankle systolic pressure by the brachial systolic pressure to assess for arterial insufficiency.
What is the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)?
This is the most common maternal hazard associated with a history of chronic hypertension during pregnancy.
What is superimposed preeclampsia?
This is the maximum weight a patient should lift for several weeks following a sternotomy (CABG or Valve surgery).
What is 10 pounds?
When analyzing an ECG, the nurse knows that this specific wave represents atrial depolarization.
What is the P wave?
This term describes the ability of a cardiac cell to send an electrical stimulus from one cell membrane to another.
What is conductivity?
This "stage" of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is defined by the presence of muscle pain or cramping that occurs with exercise and is relieved by rest.
What is Stage II: Claudication?
To promote fetal lung maturity in a preeclamptic patient before 34 weeks, the nurse prepares to administer this steroid Betamethasone to promote what?
What is surfactant?
Following an arterial revascularization, this symptom is often the first indicator that the graft has become occluded.
What is a sharp increase in pain?
This is the primary reason patients are taught to "splint" their incision with a pillow when coughing after a sternotomy.
This is the primary reason patients are taught to "splint" their incision with a pillow when coughing after a sternotomy.
A nurse identifies "Sinus Arrhythmia" on a monitor by noting that the heart rate increases and decreases slightly in rhythm with this bodily function.
What is breathing (respiration)?
This condition occurs when a coronary artery is occluded, but the body has developed "extra" blood vessels over time to bypass the blockage.
What is collateral circulation?
What are the nurses priority assessments while caring for a preeclamptic women?
If a patient with a new permanent pacemaker reports feeling "hiccups," the nurse should assess for this complication.
What is lead wire perforation or stimulation of the diaphragm?
This type of exercise, which involves muscle contraction without movement (like pushing against a wall), should be avoided by heart failure patients.
What is isometric exercise?