PTA NPTE Exam
(Cardiovascular/Pulmonary) Rated A+
Airway Adjuncts (4 kinds) - ANSWER-A variety of devices to protect the airway, provide
mechanical ventilation, or pormote airway clearance
Oral pharyngeal airway: a plastic tube shaped for the soft palate and tongue that holds
the tongue away from the throat.
Nasal Pharyngeal airway: latex or rubber tube to allow for nasotracheal suctioning
Endotrachial tube: inserted in the trachea from the mouth or nose to provide an airway
and allow for mechanical ventilation
Tracheotomy tube: Artificial airway inserted into the trachea from an incision on the
neck for prolonged mechanical ventilation.
Ambulatory Electrocardiography (holter monitoring) - ANSWER-ECG electrodes placed
on the chest attatched to a battery. ECG records for 24-48 hours to evaluate
Evaluates cardiac rhythm, effeciency of medications, and pacemaker function.
Aneurysm - ANSWER-A dilation of a blood vessel usually an artery
Etiology: Congenital Defect, weakness in the wall of the vessel due to chronic
hypertension, connective tissue disease (marfan syndrome), trauma, infection
Sxs: Vary based on site, Aortic Aneurysms are asymptomatic but may include LBP or
abdominal pain, Abdominal aortic aneurysms can cause pulsations near navel, cerebral
aneurysm may be sudden headache, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, seizure
Tx: Antihypertensive medications for HTN, surgery for large aortic aneurysms
Angina Pectoris - ANSWER-A Pain in the chest due to pressure or discomfort resulting
from myocaridal ischemia,
Stable Angina-Occurs at predictable level of exertion, exercise or stress and responds
to rest or nitroglycerine
Unstable Angina: Usually is more intense, lasts longer, is caused by less exertions,
occurs spontaneously at rest, is progressive
Prinzmetal (variant) Angina: Due to coronary artery spasm due to coronary artery
diesease
, Etiology: Inadequete blood flow and oxygenation of the heart due to coronary artery
disease
Sxs: Pressure,, heaviness, squeezing, burning in the sternum or neck jaw shoulders
arms, heaviness breathing, vomiting, sweating, angina, triggered by exertion or stress
Tx: Supplemental O2, Nitroglycerine rest, Long acting is treated with nitrates beta
blockers and calcium channel blockers
Angiography - ANSWER-Radiologic exam that injects a contrast medium into the blood
vessels.
Angiogram can show location of plaques in the coronary arteries and extent of
occlusion.
Aorta - ANSWER-Largest artery and central conduit of blood from the heart to the body.
Begins in the upper left ventricle, descends into the thorax (thoracic aorta), then into the
abdominal cavity ( abdominal aorta)
Apex - ANSWER-lowest part of heart formed by inferolateral part of the left ventricle
Asthma - ANSWER-Chronic Inflammation of the airways from increased hypersensitivity
to various stimuli
Etiology: Respiratory infection, Allergens such as pollen, mold, dander, feathers,
exposure to cold air
Sxs: Wheezing, slight shorness of breath, severe being dyspnea, flaring nostrils,
diminished anxiety, wheezing, cyanosis, inability to speak that can lead to respiratory
failure if left untreated
Tx: Reducing exposure to triggers, anti inflmmatory agents, bronchodialator, Breathing
exercises, relation, stregnth.endurance
Atherosclerosis - ANSWER-Accumulation of fatty plaques on the inner walls of the
arteries that can restrict blood flow and cause a clot
Etiology: Unknown but may begin with damage or injury to the inner wall of the artery
from hypertension, high cholestrol, smoking or diabeties. Plaques made of cholestrol
harden narrowing arteries and impeding bloodflow.
Sxs: Angina Pectoris, Cerbreal arteries affected may cause weakness of the arms or
legs or difficulty speaking, peripheral arteries affected may cause intermittent
claudication
(Cardiovascular/Pulmonary) Rated A+
Airway Adjuncts (4 kinds) - ANSWER-A variety of devices to protect the airway, provide
mechanical ventilation, or pormote airway clearance
Oral pharyngeal airway: a plastic tube shaped for the soft palate and tongue that holds
the tongue away from the throat.
Nasal Pharyngeal airway: latex or rubber tube to allow for nasotracheal suctioning
Endotrachial tube: inserted in the trachea from the mouth or nose to provide an airway
and allow for mechanical ventilation
Tracheotomy tube: Artificial airway inserted into the trachea from an incision on the
neck for prolonged mechanical ventilation.
Ambulatory Electrocardiography (holter monitoring) - ANSWER-ECG electrodes placed
on the chest attatched to a battery. ECG records for 24-48 hours to evaluate
Evaluates cardiac rhythm, effeciency of medications, and pacemaker function.
Aneurysm - ANSWER-A dilation of a blood vessel usually an artery
Etiology: Congenital Defect, weakness in the wall of the vessel due to chronic
hypertension, connective tissue disease (marfan syndrome), trauma, infection
Sxs: Vary based on site, Aortic Aneurysms are asymptomatic but may include LBP or
abdominal pain, Abdominal aortic aneurysms can cause pulsations near navel, cerebral
aneurysm may be sudden headache, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, seizure
Tx: Antihypertensive medications for HTN, surgery for large aortic aneurysms
Angina Pectoris - ANSWER-A Pain in the chest due to pressure or discomfort resulting
from myocaridal ischemia,
Stable Angina-Occurs at predictable level of exertion, exercise or stress and responds
to rest or nitroglycerine
Unstable Angina: Usually is more intense, lasts longer, is caused by less exertions,
occurs spontaneously at rest, is progressive
Prinzmetal (variant) Angina: Due to coronary artery spasm due to coronary artery
diesease
, Etiology: Inadequete blood flow and oxygenation of the heart due to coronary artery
disease
Sxs: Pressure,, heaviness, squeezing, burning in the sternum or neck jaw shoulders
arms, heaviness breathing, vomiting, sweating, angina, triggered by exertion or stress
Tx: Supplemental O2, Nitroglycerine rest, Long acting is treated with nitrates beta
blockers and calcium channel blockers
Angiography - ANSWER-Radiologic exam that injects a contrast medium into the blood
vessels.
Angiogram can show location of plaques in the coronary arteries and extent of
occlusion.
Aorta - ANSWER-Largest artery and central conduit of blood from the heart to the body.
Begins in the upper left ventricle, descends into the thorax (thoracic aorta), then into the
abdominal cavity ( abdominal aorta)
Apex - ANSWER-lowest part of heart formed by inferolateral part of the left ventricle
Asthma - ANSWER-Chronic Inflammation of the airways from increased hypersensitivity
to various stimuli
Etiology: Respiratory infection, Allergens such as pollen, mold, dander, feathers,
exposure to cold air
Sxs: Wheezing, slight shorness of breath, severe being dyspnea, flaring nostrils,
diminished anxiety, wheezing, cyanosis, inability to speak that can lead to respiratory
failure if left untreated
Tx: Reducing exposure to triggers, anti inflmmatory agents, bronchodialator, Breathing
exercises, relation, stregnth.endurance
Atherosclerosis - ANSWER-Accumulation of fatty plaques on the inner walls of the
arteries that can restrict blood flow and cause a clot
Etiology: Unknown but may begin with damage or injury to the inner wall of the artery
from hypertension, high cholestrol, smoking or diabeties. Plaques made of cholestrol
harden narrowing arteries and impeding bloodflow.
Sxs: Angina Pectoris, Cerbreal arteries affected may cause weakness of the arms or
legs or difficulty speaking, peripheral arteries affected may cause intermittent
claudication
