Breathe baby, breathe
What is a hallmark sign of a pneumothorax?
Absent breath sounds on one side
What does the P wave represent on an ECG?
Atrial depolarization
What’s the key difference between stable and unstable angina?
Stable occurs with exertion, unstable occurs at rest or unpredictably
What should you do if the chest tube becomes disconnected?
Place the tube end in sterile water to maintain water seal
What med is given to dissolve clots in an acute MI?
Alteplase (tPA) or other thrombolytics
Name one early and one late sign of hypoxia.
Early: restlessness/tachypnea; Late: cyanosis
What is the priority intervention for a client in ventricular tachycardia with no pulse?
Start CPR and defibrillate
Name 2 classic signs of a myocardial infarction.
Chest pain, diaphoresis, nausea, jaw/arm pain, SOB
What does continuous bubbling in the suction control chamber indicate?
Expected finding — indicates suction is working
What is the action of nitroglycerin, and a common side effect?
Dilates vessels to reduce cardiac workload; side effect = headache, hypotension
What is the difference between pneumothorax and hemothorax?
Pneumothorax = air in pleural space; Hemothorax = blood in pleural space
What ECG finding is characteristic of atrial fibrillation?
Irregularly irregular rhythm, no distinct P waves
What lab value is most specific to myocardial damage?
Troponin
What finding would you report immediately in a chest tube drainage system?
Sudden stop in drainage, >100mL/hr, or tracheal deviation
What class of drugs improves survival in patients with heart failure?
ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or beta-blockers
What is the priority intervention for a patient with flail chest?
Stabilize chest, provide oxygen, and prepare for mechanical ventilation
Name one cause of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).
Hypokalemia, caffeine, stress, or ischemia
What is left-sided heart failure most likely to cause?
Pulmonary congestion: crackles, dyspnea, orthopnea
Name one nursing consideration for a patient with COPD during oxygen therapy.
Keep O2 1–2 L/min to avoid suppressing respiratory drive
What is the purpose of bronchodilators in COPD?
Relax bronchial smooth muscle to improve airflow
What are three classic signs of a pulmonary embolism?
Sudden chest pain, dyspnea, tachycardia
What rhythm requires synchronized cardioversion if the patient is unstable?
Atrial fibrillation with RVR or supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
What nursing intervention is a priority during acute pulmonary edema?
Administer oxygen, position upright, give diuretics
What are the priority nursing interventions for a patient with ARDS (acute resp. distress syndrome)?
Administer O2, mechanical ventilation with PEEP, monitor ABGs
What is alteplase, and what is a major contraindication?
A thrombolytic; contraindicated in active bleeding or recent stroke/surgery