ATLAND Medical Learning
Cardiovascular System and Disorders
Nursing Study Notes
Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
Functions of the Heart
a. Managing blood supply to the changing metabolic needs of the tissues.
b. Producing blood pressure needed for blood flow through the vessels.
c. Securing one-way blood flow through the heart and vessels.
d. Transmitting blood by maintaining the flow of oxygenated blood to tissues.
Structure of the Heart
Consists of arteries and veins.
Four chambers: the right atrium; the right ventricle; the left atrium; the left ventricle
The atrioventricular valves (the tricuspid valve and the Bicuspid (mitral) valve)
The semilunar valves (the pulmonic semilunar valve and the aortic semilunar valves)
ATLAND Medical Learning 1 Nursing Study Notes
, Made up of three layers:
ATLAND Medical Learning 2 Nursing Study Notes
, The pericardial sac encases and covers the heart from trauma and infection.
The Heart Conduction System
Insert link with Heart Conduction System animation
NCLEX Tips: SA Node:
1. Sino Atrial node also known as the pacemaker causes atrial P wave on ECG
tracing.
2. P wave refers to atrial depolarization; QRS Complex is Ventricular
depolarization and T wave refers to ventricular repolarization.
3. SA node beats at 100bpm, AV node sustains 40-60bpm, Purkinje fibres 20-
40bpm.
ATLAND Medical Learning 3 Nursing Study Notes
, The Coronary arteries: supplies oxygenated and nutrient-filled blood to the heart muscle.
a) The right main coronary artery – supplies: the right atrium and ventricle; the inferior portion
of the left ventricle; the posterior septal wall, the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes.
b) The left main coronary artery:
The left anterior descending artery – supplies blood to the anterior wall of the left
ventricle; the anterior ventricular septum, and the apex of the left ventricle.
The circumflex artery – which supplies blood to the left atrium and lateral and posterior
surfaces of the left ventricle.
ATLAND Medical Learning 4 Nursing Study Notes
Cardiovascular System and Disorders
Nursing Study Notes
Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
Functions of the Heart
a. Managing blood supply to the changing metabolic needs of the tissues.
b. Producing blood pressure needed for blood flow through the vessels.
c. Securing one-way blood flow through the heart and vessels.
d. Transmitting blood by maintaining the flow of oxygenated blood to tissues.
Structure of the Heart
Consists of arteries and veins.
Four chambers: the right atrium; the right ventricle; the left atrium; the left ventricle
The atrioventricular valves (the tricuspid valve and the Bicuspid (mitral) valve)
The semilunar valves (the pulmonic semilunar valve and the aortic semilunar valves)
ATLAND Medical Learning 1 Nursing Study Notes
, Made up of three layers:
ATLAND Medical Learning 2 Nursing Study Notes
, The pericardial sac encases and covers the heart from trauma and infection.
The Heart Conduction System
Insert link with Heart Conduction System animation
NCLEX Tips: SA Node:
1. Sino Atrial node also known as the pacemaker causes atrial P wave on ECG
tracing.
2. P wave refers to atrial depolarization; QRS Complex is Ventricular
depolarization and T wave refers to ventricular repolarization.
3. SA node beats at 100bpm, AV node sustains 40-60bpm, Purkinje fibres 20-
40bpm.
ATLAND Medical Learning 3 Nursing Study Notes
, The Coronary arteries: supplies oxygenated and nutrient-filled blood to the heart muscle.
a) The right main coronary artery – supplies: the right atrium and ventricle; the inferior portion
of the left ventricle; the posterior septal wall, the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes.
b) The left main coronary artery:
The left anterior descending artery – supplies blood to the anterior wall of the left
ventricle; the anterior ventricular septum, and the apex of the left ventricle.
The circumflex artery – which supplies blood to the left atrium and lateral and posterior
surfaces of the left ventricle.
ATLAND Medical Learning 4 Nursing Study Notes
