Medical Surgical Nursing Cardiac Unit Exam Question and Answers
EKG - Electrocardiogram
Answer: electrodes on skin measuring cardiac electrical activity, diagnose dysrhythmias, myocardial
infarction or electrolyte imbalances
Holter monitor
Answer: a portable electrocardiograph that is worn by an ambulatory patient to continuously monitor
the heart rates and rhythms over a 24-hour period
echocardiogram
Answer: ultrasound of the heart, can identify structural issues such as heart enlargement, valve
abnormalities
transesophageal echocardiography - TEE
Answer: specialized echocardiography procedure in which patient swallows ultrasound head in order to
better visualize internal cardiac structures, especially cardiac valves
Doppler ultrasound
Answer: measuring blood flow in vessels via sound waves
Creatine Kinase (CK) normal range
Answer: 26-55 units/L
Creatine Kinase (CK) definition
Answer: test for the presence of the enzyme creatine kinase in the blood that may indicate conditions
that can cause muscle weakness or pain
CK-MB definition
Answer: Creatine Kinase-Muscle Breakdown, rises within 6 hrs of MI
CK-MB normal value
Answer: 0-7
Troponin definition
Answer: A protein of muscle that permits muscular contraction, elevated levels indicate MI, levels stay
elevated for up to 7 days
HDL normal value
Answer: >40 mg/dL
LDL Normal value
Answer: Less than 100; The lower, the better
Angiography (definition)
Answer: Diagnostic test in which an artery or vein is access and a contrast agent is injected to make the
vessels visible on xray, can diagnose vessel patency, injury or aneurysm
, cardiac catheterization
Answer: a diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery and then guided into
the heart
cardiac stress test
Answer: a test used to evaluate the functioning of the heart during a period of increased oxygen
demand; test may be initiated by exercise or medications
antiembolism stockings (TED hose)
Answer: elastic stockings that compress superficial leg veins and promote venous return
intermittent pneumatic compression (SCDs)
Answer: inflatable stockings that intermittently fill with air which simulates the contraction of leg
muscles promoting fluid movement helping prevent thrombosis development
normal blood pressure
Answer: less than 120/80
complications of high blood pressure
Answer: heart failure, MI, stroke, renal failure
hypertensive emergency definition
Answer: An emergency situation created by excessively high blood pressure, which can lead to serious
complications such as stroke or aneurysm. BP > 180/120
Important lifestyle modifications for preventing hypertension include
Answer: L - limit salt, caffiene & alcohol
I - include potassium & calcium daily
F - fat & cholesterol are limited
E - exercise
S - stay on prescribed meds
T - try to quit smoking
Y - your meds are taken daily
L - lose weight
E - End stage complications can be avoided
Name the cardiac valves
Answer: Tricuspid - right
Mitral - left
Semilunar Valves -
- Pulmonic - right
- Aortic - left
mitral valve prolapse
Answer: stretching of AV valve leaflet into the atrium during diastole
EKG - Electrocardiogram
Answer: electrodes on skin measuring cardiac electrical activity, diagnose dysrhythmias, myocardial
infarction or electrolyte imbalances
Holter monitor
Answer: a portable electrocardiograph that is worn by an ambulatory patient to continuously monitor
the heart rates and rhythms over a 24-hour period
echocardiogram
Answer: ultrasound of the heart, can identify structural issues such as heart enlargement, valve
abnormalities
transesophageal echocardiography - TEE
Answer: specialized echocardiography procedure in which patient swallows ultrasound head in order to
better visualize internal cardiac structures, especially cardiac valves
Doppler ultrasound
Answer: measuring blood flow in vessels via sound waves
Creatine Kinase (CK) normal range
Answer: 26-55 units/L
Creatine Kinase (CK) definition
Answer: test for the presence of the enzyme creatine kinase in the blood that may indicate conditions
that can cause muscle weakness or pain
CK-MB definition
Answer: Creatine Kinase-Muscle Breakdown, rises within 6 hrs of MI
CK-MB normal value
Answer: 0-7
Troponin definition
Answer: A protein of muscle that permits muscular contraction, elevated levels indicate MI, levels stay
elevated for up to 7 days
HDL normal value
Answer: >40 mg/dL
LDL Normal value
Answer: Less than 100; The lower, the better
Angiography (definition)
Answer: Diagnostic test in which an artery or vein is access and a contrast agent is injected to make the
vessels visible on xray, can diagnose vessel patency, injury or aneurysm
, cardiac catheterization
Answer: a diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery and then guided into
the heart
cardiac stress test
Answer: a test used to evaluate the functioning of the heart during a period of increased oxygen
demand; test may be initiated by exercise or medications
antiembolism stockings (TED hose)
Answer: elastic stockings that compress superficial leg veins and promote venous return
intermittent pneumatic compression (SCDs)
Answer: inflatable stockings that intermittently fill with air which simulates the contraction of leg
muscles promoting fluid movement helping prevent thrombosis development
normal blood pressure
Answer: less than 120/80
complications of high blood pressure
Answer: heart failure, MI, stroke, renal failure
hypertensive emergency definition
Answer: An emergency situation created by excessively high blood pressure, which can lead to serious
complications such as stroke or aneurysm. BP > 180/120
Important lifestyle modifications for preventing hypertension include
Answer: L - limit salt, caffiene & alcohol
I - include potassium & calcium daily
F - fat & cholesterol are limited
E - exercise
S - stay on prescribed meds
T - try to quit smoking
Y - your meds are taken daily
L - lose weight
E - End stage complications can be avoided
Name the cardiac valves
Answer: Tricuspid - right
Mitral - left
Semilunar Valves -
- Pulmonic - right
- Aortic - left
mitral valve prolapse
Answer: stretching of AV valve leaflet into the atrium during diastole
