Cardiac and Peripheral Vascular - Nursing 251 Questions
With Complete Solutions
abnormal apical pulse findings Correct Answers If cardiac
pathology causes a stronger impulse in a different region over
the precordium this is abnormal and needs to be assessed in
terms of: type, location & timing in relation to the cardiac cycle
Also note while assessing pulses: Correct Answers •skin color
and temperature in all areas
•fingertips for clubbing
•capillary refill time
•distribution of hair
•Edema
•varicosities (vein that is permanently dilated/enlarged; most
common in the legs)
•Thrombophlebitis (inflammation that causes blood clots)
apical impulse (PMI) Correct Answers identified as the PMI
over the precordium
Arterial system Correct Answers Arteries, arterioles, capillaries
Assess for heaves, lifts and thrills Correct Answers Use palm
and/or finger pads to palpate for heaves and lifts (lifting of the
cardiac area)
Use the ball of your hand firmly pressed on the chest to palpate
for Thrills - buzzing or vibratory sensation
Assessment of Arterial Pulses Correct Answers Auscultate
temporal, carotid, femoral pulses
, - USE BELL
Characteristics: rate, rhythm, amplitude, symmetry
Normal: No bruit
Assessment of Peripheral Perfusion Correct Answers Evaluate
peripheral pulses, color, clubbing, capillary refill, skin
temperature, edema, ulcerations, hair distribution
Assessment of the Precordium - Auscultation Correct Answers
◦Diaphragm - high pitched sounds (S1 & S2)
◦Bell - low pitched sounds
◦Note the Rate & Rhythm in four valve areas (regular or
irregular?)
◦Identify S1 & S2 (S1 is louder than S2 at apex; S2 is louder
than S1at the base)
Auscultation Correct Answers •Use stethoscope diaphragm
over aortic, pulmonic, mitral, and tricuspid areas
•Use stethoscope bell over mitral and tricuspid areas
•Normal findings: no murmurs auscultated
Auscultation of the heart - Where? Correct Answers •Aortic,
pulmonic, midprecordial/2nd pulmonic area (Erb's point),
tricuspid, mitral
Auscultation: Abnormal Findings Correct Answers Pericardial
Friction Rub
◦Possible cause - rubbing together of inflamed viscera & parietal
lining of heart (pericarditis)
◦Characteristics: location, timing, radiation, quality, pitch -
Sound = high pitched and scratchy
With Complete Solutions
abnormal apical pulse findings Correct Answers If cardiac
pathology causes a stronger impulse in a different region over
the precordium this is abnormal and needs to be assessed in
terms of: type, location & timing in relation to the cardiac cycle
Also note while assessing pulses: Correct Answers •skin color
and temperature in all areas
•fingertips for clubbing
•capillary refill time
•distribution of hair
•Edema
•varicosities (vein that is permanently dilated/enlarged; most
common in the legs)
•Thrombophlebitis (inflammation that causes blood clots)
apical impulse (PMI) Correct Answers identified as the PMI
over the precordium
Arterial system Correct Answers Arteries, arterioles, capillaries
Assess for heaves, lifts and thrills Correct Answers Use palm
and/or finger pads to palpate for heaves and lifts (lifting of the
cardiac area)
Use the ball of your hand firmly pressed on the chest to palpate
for Thrills - buzzing or vibratory sensation
Assessment of Arterial Pulses Correct Answers Auscultate
temporal, carotid, femoral pulses
, - USE BELL
Characteristics: rate, rhythm, amplitude, symmetry
Normal: No bruit
Assessment of Peripheral Perfusion Correct Answers Evaluate
peripheral pulses, color, clubbing, capillary refill, skin
temperature, edema, ulcerations, hair distribution
Assessment of the Precordium - Auscultation Correct Answers
◦Diaphragm - high pitched sounds (S1 & S2)
◦Bell - low pitched sounds
◦Note the Rate & Rhythm in four valve areas (regular or
irregular?)
◦Identify S1 & S2 (S1 is louder than S2 at apex; S2 is louder
than S1at the base)
Auscultation Correct Answers •Use stethoscope diaphragm
over aortic, pulmonic, mitral, and tricuspid areas
•Use stethoscope bell over mitral and tricuspid areas
•Normal findings: no murmurs auscultated
Auscultation of the heart - Where? Correct Answers •Aortic,
pulmonic, midprecordial/2nd pulmonic area (Erb's point),
tricuspid, mitral
Auscultation: Abnormal Findings Correct Answers Pericardial
Friction Rub
◦Possible cause - rubbing together of inflamed viscera & parietal
lining of heart (pericarditis)
◦Characteristics: location, timing, radiation, quality, pitch -
Sound = high pitched and scratchy
