Care of Adult Medications
and Diagnostic Tests
ECG (EKG) / Electrocardiogram
Basic diagnostic assessment to assess the electrical conduction system of the heart.
Provides a graphic recording of the heart's electrical activity
Echocardiogram
Uses an ultrasound to determine the size and pumping function of the heart.
Coronary Angiography
Gold standard for diagnosing CAD
Left sided heart catheterization to inspect coronary arteries.
cardiac catheterization
a diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery and then
guided into the heart.
Evaluates cardiac filling pressures, CO, and valve function.
Hemodynamic monitoring
measurement of pressure, flow, and oxygenation within the cardiovascular system
cardiac stress testing
conducted to observe and record the patient's cardiovascular response to measured
exercise challenges
MUGA scan
imaging the motion of heart wall muscles and assessing the function of the heart via a
multiple-gated acquisition scan, which uses radioactive chemicals
Thallium imaging
test goes along with the cardiac stress test - IV injection - radioactivity is short lived -
patient must wash hands and flush the toilet after procedure - test detects hot spots
PET scan
Used tp determine if specific areas of the heart are recieving enough bloodflow.
Nitroglycerin
nitrate drug used in the treatment of angina
Nitroglycerin MOA
Dilates coronary arteries, improving oxygen-rich bloodflow to the heart.
Peripheral vasodilation by relaxing smooth muscle.
Reduced peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) and arterial pressure (afterload).
Nitroglycerin SE
Hypotension, Headaches, flushing, tachycardia
Nitroglycerin NC
Monitor BP carefully, hypotension may occur
and Diagnostic Tests
ECG (EKG) / Electrocardiogram
Basic diagnostic assessment to assess the electrical conduction system of the heart.
Provides a graphic recording of the heart's electrical activity
Echocardiogram
Uses an ultrasound to determine the size and pumping function of the heart.
Coronary Angiography
Gold standard for diagnosing CAD
Left sided heart catheterization to inspect coronary arteries.
cardiac catheterization
a diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery and then
guided into the heart.
Evaluates cardiac filling pressures, CO, and valve function.
Hemodynamic monitoring
measurement of pressure, flow, and oxygenation within the cardiovascular system
cardiac stress testing
conducted to observe and record the patient's cardiovascular response to measured
exercise challenges
MUGA scan
imaging the motion of heart wall muscles and assessing the function of the heart via a
multiple-gated acquisition scan, which uses radioactive chemicals
Thallium imaging
test goes along with the cardiac stress test - IV injection - radioactivity is short lived -
patient must wash hands and flush the toilet after procedure - test detects hot spots
PET scan
Used tp determine if specific areas of the heart are recieving enough bloodflow.
Nitroglycerin
nitrate drug used in the treatment of angina
Nitroglycerin MOA
Dilates coronary arteries, improving oxygen-rich bloodflow to the heart.
Peripheral vasodilation by relaxing smooth muscle.
Reduced peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) and arterial pressure (afterload).
Nitroglycerin SE
Hypotension, Headaches, flushing, tachycardia
Nitroglycerin NC
Monitor BP carefully, hypotension may occur
