NUR 325: Exam 1 (Cardiac) Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2024/2025 | Already Passed

NUR 325: Exam 1 (Cardiac) Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2024/2025 | Already Passed Which term describes the backward flow of blood due to malfunctioning heart valves? Regurgitation What is the medical term for decreased blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle? Mitral Stenosis How is the narrowing of the passage from the left ventricle to the aorta defined? Aortic Stenosis What term refers to the degree of ventricular stretch at the end of diastole? Preload How does a change in fluid volume affect preload? An increase in fluids will increase preload, and a decrease in fluids will decrease preload What is the effect of vasodilators on preload? Vasodilators decrease preload What term describes the resistance the heart must overcome to eject blood from the ventricles? Afterload What impact do hypertension and vasoconstriction have on afterload? Hypertension and vasoconstriction increase afterload, which raises cardiac workload How is the strength of myocardial contraction during systole described? Contractility How are preload and contractility interrelated? Optimal filling of the ventricles allows for maximum stretching and enhances contractility What medications might a nurse administer to increase a patient's contractility? Epinephrine, Digoxin, and Dopamine Which medications can be given to reduce a patient's contractility? Beta-blockers, often referred to as "lol" medications What symptoms might indicate poor perfusion in a patient? Dyspnea, hypotension, and angina, among others observable on an EKG Which dysrhythmias are considered life-threatening? Ventricular Tachycardia (V Tach), Ventricular Fibrillation (V Fib), and Asystole. Torsades de Pointes is also critical, as it's essentially a form of V Tach What should a nurse do first upon noticing a life-threatening rhythm on a patient's EKG? Assess the patient immediately. Check if a lead has fallen off, observe signs of decreased cardiac output, and determine responsiveness and pulse The patient is in V Tach but has a pulse, how can we treat this? We give amiodarone or lidocaine, and use cardioversion (because they have a pulse) The patient is in V Tach but does NOT have a pulse, how do we treat this? CPR and Defibrillation