CARDIAC NCLEX STUDY QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
Blood Flow through Heart
enters R atrium -> right ventricle -> into pulmonary artery (carries deoxygenated) -> to lungs
(becomes oxygenated) -> pulmonary veins -> left atrium -> left ventricle -> aorta -> body
What are the two major veins that bring blood to the right side of the heart?
superior vena cava
inferior vena cava
what are the only veins that carry oxygenated blood?
pulmonary veins
what is the only artery that carry deoxygenated blood?
pulmonary artery
preload
amount of blood returning to heart
afterload
pressure in aorta & peripheral arteries that left ventricle has to pump against to get blood out
- pressure = resistance
stroke volume
amount of blood pumped out of ventricles with each beat
,person with high BP leads to what?
heart failure -> pulmonary edema
cardiac output
CO = HR x SV
- tissue perfusion dependent on adequate CO
- CO changes according to body's need
Cardiac Output - factors that affect it
1. HR & certain arrythmias
(HR inc = dec CO /// HR dec = inc CO)
2. blood volume
3. decreased contractility (d/t MI, meds, muscle dx)
Decreased CO - patho
brain: dec LOC
heart: chest pain
lungs: SOB; sound wet (crackles)
skin: cold/clammy
kidneys: dec UO
peripheral pulses: weak
If CO dec, will you perfuse properly?
NO!
, Arrythmias are no big deal UNTIL they affect what?
your cardiac output
1. pulseless Vtach
2. pulseless Vfib
3. pulseless asystole
Chronic Stable Angina - patho
dec blood flow to myocardium -> ischemia -> temporary pain/pressure in chest
- caused by CAD
- dec O2 brings pain on
- rest &/or nitroglycerin = relief
Chronic Stable Angina - tx: meds
Nitroglycerin: sublingual (tab or spray)
- causes: venous & arterial dilation
- cause dec preload & afterload = dec workload on heart
- causes dilation of coronary arteries -> inc blood flow to myocardium
Chronic Stable Angina - tx: meds - Nitroglycerin - pt instructions
1. take 1 every 5 min up to 3 doses
2. do not swallow; place under tongue
3. keep in dark, glass bottle; dry, cool
4. may or may not burn/fizz
CORRECT ANSWERS
Blood Flow through Heart
enters R atrium -> right ventricle -> into pulmonary artery (carries deoxygenated) -> to lungs
(becomes oxygenated) -> pulmonary veins -> left atrium -> left ventricle -> aorta -> body
What are the two major veins that bring blood to the right side of the heart?
superior vena cava
inferior vena cava
what are the only veins that carry oxygenated blood?
pulmonary veins
what is the only artery that carry deoxygenated blood?
pulmonary artery
preload
amount of blood returning to heart
afterload
pressure in aorta & peripheral arteries that left ventricle has to pump against to get blood out
- pressure = resistance
stroke volume
amount of blood pumped out of ventricles with each beat
,person with high BP leads to what?
heart failure -> pulmonary edema
cardiac output
CO = HR x SV
- tissue perfusion dependent on adequate CO
- CO changes according to body's need
Cardiac Output - factors that affect it
1. HR & certain arrythmias
(HR inc = dec CO /// HR dec = inc CO)
2. blood volume
3. decreased contractility (d/t MI, meds, muscle dx)
Decreased CO - patho
brain: dec LOC
heart: chest pain
lungs: SOB; sound wet (crackles)
skin: cold/clammy
kidneys: dec UO
peripheral pulses: weak
If CO dec, will you perfuse properly?
NO!
, Arrythmias are no big deal UNTIL they affect what?
your cardiac output
1. pulseless Vtach
2. pulseless Vfib
3. pulseless asystole
Chronic Stable Angina - patho
dec blood flow to myocardium -> ischemia -> temporary pain/pressure in chest
- caused by CAD
- dec O2 brings pain on
- rest &/or nitroglycerin = relief
Chronic Stable Angina - tx: meds
Nitroglycerin: sublingual (tab or spray)
- causes: venous & arterial dilation
- cause dec preload & afterload = dec workload on heart
- causes dilation of coronary arteries -> inc blood flow to myocardium
Chronic Stable Angina - tx: meds - Nitroglycerin - pt instructions
1. take 1 every 5 min up to 3 doses
2. do not swallow; place under tongue
3. keep in dark, glass bottle; dry, cool
4. may or may not burn/fizz
