NUR 4110Medsurg 3 FINAL EXAM LATEST 2022.
Medsurg 3 FINAL EXAM
Cardiac Assessment
Cardiac Conduction System
➢ Generates and transmits electrical impulses that stimulate contraction of the myocardium
➢ SA node AV node Bundle of his (branches into right and left) purkinjie fibers
➢ SA node which is the primary pacemaker of the heart
o A patient has a HR of 90. Means The SA node is working because normal HR is 60-100
o If the HR falls below the normal value, there is a problem!
➢ AV node which is the secondary pacemaker of the heart
o If the SA node malfunctions. The AV node will take over which has a lower rate such as 40-60 bpm
Cardiac Action Potential
Is the electrical cells generate and transmit impulses across the heart which will stimulate cardiac myocytes to contract. Stimulation of
these myocytes occurs due to the exchange of electrically charged particles (ions) across the channels located in the cell membrane
➢ In resting or polarized state
o Sodium is the primary extracellular ion
o Potassium is the primary intracellular ion
Terms of Cardiac Action Potential
o Depolarization: electrical activation of cell caused by influx of sodium into cell while potassium exits cell. THIS
CREATES A POSITIVELY CHARGED INTRACELLULAR SPACE AND NEGATIVELY CHARGED EXTRACEULAR
SPACE
o Repolarization: return of cell to resting state caused by re-entry of potassium into cell while sodium exits
o Refractory periods – cardiac cells must completely repolarize before they can depolarize AGAIN
o 2 phases of refractory period
o Effective refractory period: phase in which cells are incapable of depolarizing. It is completely unresponsive to ANY
electrical stimulus
o Relative refractory period: phase in which cells require stronger-than-normal stimulus to depolarize
Cardiac Hemodynamics
• HR x SV = Cardiac Output
• Cardiac output refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute.
• The cardiac output in a resting adult is 4 to 6 L/min but varies greatly depending on metabolic needs
• Cardiac output responds to changes in the metabolic demands of the tissues associated with stress, physical exercise,
and illness
o HR is affected by central nervous system activity and baroreceptor activity.
o HR is determined by rate and rhythm – if it is regular or irregular
o If HR is affected so is CO
o If the heart is not stretching enough – cardiac output is affected
o If the heart is not pumping – cardiac output is affected
• Stroke volume is determined by preload, afterload, and contractility
o Preload: refers to the degree of stretch of the ventricular cardiac muscle fibers at the end of diastole. The end of
Diastole is the period when filling volume in the ventricles is the highest and the degree of stretch on the muscle
fibers is the greatest (when it is filled with more and more blood = the greater the stretch = the greater the force
of contraction)
o Diastole is the relaxation/filling phase of the ventricles and once these have filled this is the preload. We can also
refer to preload as the EVD (it is at the end of the diastolic phase). Preload is the amount the ventricle stretched!
▪ Think of a balloon (such as the more air you blow in, the greater the stretch)
o Afterload: resistance to ejection of blood from the ventricles. This is the pressure required to overcome aortic
pressure. The higher the aortic pressure the harder the ventricles have to work – (the LV must overcome the
aortic pressure). The pressure in the ventricles work against to open the SL valves to pump blood out of the heart
o Contractility: refers to the force generated by the contracting myocardium (the more forceful the more blood that
is ejected)
• If there is an issue with cardiac output = perfusion issue because there is an issue with oxygenation and
flow components
• Low HR = CO is affected
• Increase in SV and HR = increase in CO
, NUR 4110Medsurg 3 FINAL EXAM LATEST 2022.
Age Related changes in cardiac
-Atria, LV, Valves (stiffen and no longer close properly), Conduction system, SNS (decreased response), aorta (stiffen), arteries
(stiffen), baroreceptor response (more sensitive)
, NUR 4110Medsurg 3 FINAL EXAM LATEST 2022.
History and Physical
Health History which refers to the patient’s ability to recognize cardiac symptoms to know what to do when they occur it is essential
for effective self-care management
• Want CLEAR information when talking to the patient Chief complaint, Hx present illness & past medical history/social
history, Home meds, Nutrition, Allergies
Physical Assessment (Cardiac specific)
• General appearance, Skin and extremities
• Blood pressure pulse, and postural BP Below 30 is reduction in CO
• Arterial pulses rate, rhythm, amplitude
• Jugular venous pulsations fluid accumulation/overload
• Heart inspection and auscultation
• Any deviations from normal? Meaning changes in how the patient responds to how they are feeling. Such as a patient
with HF or circulatory issues will change their shoes due to their feet being swollen
o Heart as a pump
o Atrial/ventricular filling volumes
o Cardiac output
o Compensatory mechanisms
▪ What position does the patient lay in when they sleep?
▪ Tripod position patient is leaning forward. This is an indication of respiratory distress
MOST common clinical manifestation
• Ask why the pt would feel like this?
• Chest pain
• SOB, dyspnea fluid overload/pulmonary issue can lead to dyspnea
• Peripheral edema
• Weight gain
• Abd distention
• Fatigue
• Dizziness, Syncope, Changes LOC due to perfusion and oxygenation issues (brain likes oxygen)
• We know diuretic is working if the pt is peeing a lot and they feel less fatigue/dyspnea
Chest Pain
• Identify Quantity, location, quality, radiation, duration of pain , Associated S/S
• Assess for other cardiac conditions and for other significant conditions
• Angina Pectoris: uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, or fullness in substernal chest area. It can radiate across chest to
the medial aspect of one of both arms and hands, jaw, shoulders, upper back, or epigastrium. (BOOK)
• ACS: is the same as angina pectoris. Pain and discomfort ranges from mild to severe associated with SOB, diaphoresis,
palpitations, unusual fatigue, and n/v (BOOK)
• Pericarditis: sharp, severe substernal or epigastric pain which can radiate to necks, arms, and back.
• Pneumonia, pulmonary embolism sharp, severe substernal or epigastric pain arising from interior portion of pleura
• Hiatal hernia, GERD substernal pain described as sharp, burning, or heavy. Often mimics angina and can radiate to
neck, arm, or shoulders.
• Costochondritis musculoskeletal disorders. This is a sharp or stabbing pain localized in anterior chest. Most often is
unilateral and can radiate across chest to epigastrium or back
• Vascular
Diagnostic (laboratory values)
Hematologic Studies
• CBC identifies the total number of white and red blood cells and platelets and measures the Hgb and Hct. The CBC is
carefully monitored in a patient with cardiovascular disease
• Hct: 45%
• Hgb: 15%
• Platelets: 150,000-450,000
• WBC: 4,500-10,500
• RBC: 5
Cardiac Biomarker –
• serum biomarkers (can be used for a diagnosis of an MI)
• CK: 22-198 U/L. A high amount = damage
• CK-MB: 0-3. Elevated CK-MB is indicator of acute MI; the level begins to increase within a few hours.
, NUR 4110Medsurg 3 FINAL EXAM LATEST 2022.
• Myoglobin: 0-85 ng/mL. This is a protein which can tell if tissues are damaged
• Troponin: 0-0.4. This is a protein that is a marker for the heart. Elevated means the patient is having a problem with their
heart such as a heart attack
Medsurg 3 FINAL EXAM
Cardiac Assessment
Cardiac Conduction System
➢ Generates and transmits electrical impulses that stimulate contraction of the myocardium
➢ SA node AV node Bundle of his (branches into right and left) purkinjie fibers
➢ SA node which is the primary pacemaker of the heart
o A patient has a HR of 90. Means The SA node is working because normal HR is 60-100
o If the HR falls below the normal value, there is a problem!
➢ AV node which is the secondary pacemaker of the heart
o If the SA node malfunctions. The AV node will take over which has a lower rate such as 40-60 bpm
Cardiac Action Potential
Is the electrical cells generate and transmit impulses across the heart which will stimulate cardiac myocytes to contract. Stimulation of
these myocytes occurs due to the exchange of electrically charged particles (ions) across the channels located in the cell membrane
➢ In resting or polarized state
o Sodium is the primary extracellular ion
o Potassium is the primary intracellular ion
Terms of Cardiac Action Potential
o Depolarization: electrical activation of cell caused by influx of sodium into cell while potassium exits cell. THIS
CREATES A POSITIVELY CHARGED INTRACELLULAR SPACE AND NEGATIVELY CHARGED EXTRACEULAR
SPACE
o Repolarization: return of cell to resting state caused by re-entry of potassium into cell while sodium exits
o Refractory periods – cardiac cells must completely repolarize before they can depolarize AGAIN
o 2 phases of refractory period
o Effective refractory period: phase in which cells are incapable of depolarizing. It is completely unresponsive to ANY
electrical stimulus
o Relative refractory period: phase in which cells require stronger-than-normal stimulus to depolarize
Cardiac Hemodynamics
• HR x SV = Cardiac Output
• Cardiac output refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute.
• The cardiac output in a resting adult is 4 to 6 L/min but varies greatly depending on metabolic needs
• Cardiac output responds to changes in the metabolic demands of the tissues associated with stress, physical exercise,
and illness
o HR is affected by central nervous system activity and baroreceptor activity.
o HR is determined by rate and rhythm – if it is regular or irregular
o If HR is affected so is CO
o If the heart is not stretching enough – cardiac output is affected
o If the heart is not pumping – cardiac output is affected
• Stroke volume is determined by preload, afterload, and contractility
o Preload: refers to the degree of stretch of the ventricular cardiac muscle fibers at the end of diastole. The end of
Diastole is the period when filling volume in the ventricles is the highest and the degree of stretch on the muscle
fibers is the greatest (when it is filled with more and more blood = the greater the stretch = the greater the force
of contraction)
o Diastole is the relaxation/filling phase of the ventricles and once these have filled this is the preload. We can also
refer to preload as the EVD (it is at the end of the diastolic phase). Preload is the amount the ventricle stretched!
▪ Think of a balloon (such as the more air you blow in, the greater the stretch)
o Afterload: resistance to ejection of blood from the ventricles. This is the pressure required to overcome aortic
pressure. The higher the aortic pressure the harder the ventricles have to work – (the LV must overcome the
aortic pressure). The pressure in the ventricles work against to open the SL valves to pump blood out of the heart
o Contractility: refers to the force generated by the contracting myocardium (the more forceful the more blood that
is ejected)
• If there is an issue with cardiac output = perfusion issue because there is an issue with oxygenation and
flow components
• Low HR = CO is affected
• Increase in SV and HR = increase in CO
, NUR 4110Medsurg 3 FINAL EXAM LATEST 2022.
Age Related changes in cardiac
-Atria, LV, Valves (stiffen and no longer close properly), Conduction system, SNS (decreased response), aorta (stiffen), arteries
(stiffen), baroreceptor response (more sensitive)
, NUR 4110Medsurg 3 FINAL EXAM LATEST 2022.
History and Physical
Health History which refers to the patient’s ability to recognize cardiac symptoms to know what to do when they occur it is essential
for effective self-care management
• Want CLEAR information when talking to the patient Chief complaint, Hx present illness & past medical history/social
history, Home meds, Nutrition, Allergies
Physical Assessment (Cardiac specific)
• General appearance, Skin and extremities
• Blood pressure pulse, and postural BP Below 30 is reduction in CO
• Arterial pulses rate, rhythm, amplitude
• Jugular venous pulsations fluid accumulation/overload
• Heart inspection and auscultation
• Any deviations from normal? Meaning changes in how the patient responds to how they are feeling. Such as a patient
with HF or circulatory issues will change their shoes due to their feet being swollen
o Heart as a pump
o Atrial/ventricular filling volumes
o Cardiac output
o Compensatory mechanisms
▪ What position does the patient lay in when they sleep?
▪ Tripod position patient is leaning forward. This is an indication of respiratory distress
MOST common clinical manifestation
• Ask why the pt would feel like this?
• Chest pain
• SOB, dyspnea fluid overload/pulmonary issue can lead to dyspnea
• Peripheral edema
• Weight gain
• Abd distention
• Fatigue
• Dizziness, Syncope, Changes LOC due to perfusion and oxygenation issues (brain likes oxygen)
• We know diuretic is working if the pt is peeing a lot and they feel less fatigue/dyspnea
Chest Pain
• Identify Quantity, location, quality, radiation, duration of pain , Associated S/S
• Assess for other cardiac conditions and for other significant conditions
• Angina Pectoris: uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, or fullness in substernal chest area. It can radiate across chest to
the medial aspect of one of both arms and hands, jaw, shoulders, upper back, or epigastrium. (BOOK)
• ACS: is the same as angina pectoris. Pain and discomfort ranges from mild to severe associated with SOB, diaphoresis,
palpitations, unusual fatigue, and n/v (BOOK)
• Pericarditis: sharp, severe substernal or epigastric pain which can radiate to necks, arms, and back.
• Pneumonia, pulmonary embolism sharp, severe substernal or epigastric pain arising from interior portion of pleura
• Hiatal hernia, GERD substernal pain described as sharp, burning, or heavy. Often mimics angina and can radiate to
neck, arm, or shoulders.
• Costochondritis musculoskeletal disorders. This is a sharp or stabbing pain localized in anterior chest. Most often is
unilateral and can radiate across chest to epigastrium or back
• Vascular
Diagnostic (laboratory values)
Hematologic Studies
• CBC identifies the total number of white and red blood cells and platelets and measures the Hgb and Hct. The CBC is
carefully monitored in a patient with cardiovascular disease
• Hct: 45%
• Hgb: 15%
• Platelets: 150,000-450,000
• WBC: 4,500-10,500
• RBC: 5
Cardiac Biomarker –
• serum biomarkers (can be used for a diagnosis of an MI)
• CK: 22-198 U/L. A high amount = damage
• CK-MB: 0-3. Elevated CK-MB is indicator of acute MI; the level begins to increase within a few hours.
, NUR 4110Medsurg 3 FINAL EXAM LATEST 2022.
• Myoglobin: 0-85 ng/mL. This is a protein which can tell if tissues are damaged
• Troponin: 0-0.4. This is a protein that is a marker for the heart. Elevated means the patient is having a problem with their
heart such as a heart attack
