Cardio - STUDY
nursing (Harvard University)
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, CARDIOLOGY
TOPRANK REFRESHER PHASE
PNLE 2026
Heart Valves
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM Atrioventricular Valve
I. Anatomy & Physiology ● Located between the atrium and ventricles:
○ Tricuspid Valve: Between the right
atrium and right ventricle.
○ Bicuspid Valve (Mitral Valve):
Between the left atrium and left
ventricle.
Semilunar Valve
● Opens when blood flows out of the ventricles:
○ Pulmonic Valve: Between the right
ventricle and pulmonary artery.
○ Aortic Valve: Between the left ventricle
and aorta.
The Heart Wall (Layers of the Heart):
1. Myocardium: Middle/muscular layer.
2. Endocardium: Innermost layer.
3. Epicardium: Outermost layer.
4. Pericardium: Separate structure surrounding
the heart.
The HEART ○ Parts of the Pericardium:
● Hollow muscular organ ■ Visceral Layer: Inner layer.
● Located: Middle of the mediastinum ■ Parietal Layer: Outer layer.
● Resemble like: closed fist ■ Pericardial Sac: Located
● Weighs approx: 300 - 400 grams between the layers, containing
5-20 mL of fluid to lubricate and
Right Side - Deoxygenated Blood reduce friction.
1. Superior Vena Cava: Carries blood from the
upper body. The Conduction System
2. Inferior Vena Cava: Carries blood from the ● The electrical conductivity of the heart;
lower body. regulates heart rhythm.
3. Right Atrium: Pumps blood to the right 1. Sinoatrial Node (SA Node): Natural
ventricle. pacemaker of the heart.
4. Right Ventricle: Pumps oxygen-poor blood to 2. Atrioventricular Node (AV Node): Located
the lungs through the pulmonary artery for between the atrium and ventricle.
oxygenation. 3. Bundle of His: Extends from the AV node.
5. Pulmonary Artery: Only arteries that carry ○ Left Bundle of His
oxygen-poor blood to the lungs. ○ Right Bundle of His
6. Pulmonary Vein: Carries oxygenated blood to 4. Purkinje Fibers: Smaller branches.
the left atrium.
II. Assessment
Left Side - Oxygenated Blood 1. Nursing History
7. Left Atrium: After blood is oxygenated in the
lungs, it is carried by the pulmonary veins to the Modifiable Risk Factors:
left atrium. ● Stress
8. Left Ventricle: Slightly larger than the right, ● Diet
pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. ● Exercise
9. Aorta: The artery that carries oxygen-rich blood ● Smoking & alcohol
to the body. (Largest artery) ● Hypertension (HPN)
● Obesity
● Behavior/lifestyle
1
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nursing (Harvard University)
messages.studocu_not_sponsored_or_endorsed_by_college
messages.downloaded_by
, CARDIOLOGY
TOPRANK REFRESHER PHASE
PNLE 2026
Heart Valves
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM Atrioventricular Valve
I. Anatomy & Physiology ● Located between the atrium and ventricles:
○ Tricuspid Valve: Between the right
atrium and right ventricle.
○ Bicuspid Valve (Mitral Valve):
Between the left atrium and left
ventricle.
Semilunar Valve
● Opens when blood flows out of the ventricles:
○ Pulmonic Valve: Between the right
ventricle and pulmonary artery.
○ Aortic Valve: Between the left ventricle
and aorta.
The Heart Wall (Layers of the Heart):
1. Myocardium: Middle/muscular layer.
2. Endocardium: Innermost layer.
3. Epicardium: Outermost layer.
4. Pericardium: Separate structure surrounding
the heart.
The HEART ○ Parts of the Pericardium:
● Hollow muscular organ ■ Visceral Layer: Inner layer.
● Located: Middle of the mediastinum ■ Parietal Layer: Outer layer.
● Resemble like: closed fist ■ Pericardial Sac: Located
● Weighs approx: 300 - 400 grams between the layers, containing
5-20 mL of fluid to lubricate and
Right Side - Deoxygenated Blood reduce friction.
1. Superior Vena Cava: Carries blood from the
upper body. The Conduction System
2. Inferior Vena Cava: Carries blood from the ● The electrical conductivity of the heart;
lower body. regulates heart rhythm.
3. Right Atrium: Pumps blood to the right 1. Sinoatrial Node (SA Node): Natural
ventricle. pacemaker of the heart.
4. Right Ventricle: Pumps oxygen-poor blood to 2. Atrioventricular Node (AV Node): Located
the lungs through the pulmonary artery for between the atrium and ventricle.
oxygenation. 3. Bundle of His: Extends from the AV node.
5. Pulmonary Artery: Only arteries that carry ○ Left Bundle of His
oxygen-poor blood to the lungs. ○ Right Bundle of His
6. Pulmonary Vein: Carries oxygenated blood to 4. Purkinje Fibers: Smaller branches.
the left atrium.
II. Assessment
Left Side - Oxygenated Blood 1. Nursing History
7. Left Atrium: After blood is oxygenated in the
lungs, it is carried by the pulmonary veins to the Modifiable Risk Factors:
left atrium. ● Stress
8. Left Ventricle: Slightly larger than the right, ● Diet
pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. ● Exercise
9. Aorta: The artery that carries oxygen-rich blood ● Smoking & alcohol
to the body. (Largest artery) ● Hypertension (HPN)
● Obesity
● Behavior/lifestyle
1
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