NURS 3500 - Test 3 Cardiovascular Questions

NURS 3500 - Test #3 – Cardiovascular Questions with Complete Solutions Electrical Conduction of Heart - Correct Answer - Electrical impulses from myocardium make contractions

• SA node, the heart's "natural pacemaker" @ top of atrium releases impulse causing atrium to

contract

• Signal passes through AV node, causing ventricle filling
• AV node checks signal and sends it through muscle fibers of ventricles causing them to contract

Depolarization - Correct Answer - Electrical stimulation Repolarization - Correct Answer - Reset & relaxation

Sinus Rhythm: P Wave - Correct Answer - Atrial depolarization (stimulation)

Sinus Rhythm: QRS complex - Correct Answer - Depolarization of ventricles (stimulation)

• More stimulation needed for ventricles
• <.12 seconds

Sinus Rhythm: PR Interval - Correct Answer - Time it takes for impulse to go from atrial systole to before ventricle systole

• Time between stimulation of atrium and stimulation of ventricles
• .12-.20 seconds

Sinus Rhythm: Q Wave - Correct Answer - Atrial repolarization (relaxation)

Sinus Rhythm: T Wave - Correct Answer - Repolarization of ventricles (relaxation) Chest Radiograph (X-Ray or CXR) - Correct Answer - Used to detect size & position of heart and abnormalities of the heart and lungs

• Light areas show consolidation or where light is absorbed by body
• Dark areas represent x-ray passing through the body 1 / 3

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - Correct Answer - Records electrical signals as they travel through the heart

• Used to look for patterns among heartbeats and rhythms and to diagnose various heart conditions
• Can detect: arrhythmias, blocked or narrow coronary arteries, structural problems in heart

chambers, previous heart attack Echocardiogram - Correct Answer - Uses sound waves to produce images of heart beating and pumping blood

• Images can be used to identify heart disease

Nuclear Cardiology - Correct Answer - Small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into vein and taken up by heart

• Gamma camera then takes pictures and movies when heart is at rest, exercising, medically induced,

or stressed

• Identify coronary heart disease, the severity of prior heart attacks, and the risk of future heart

attacks.Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - Correct Answer - Uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of certain organs and tissues in the body

• Assesses: size & function of heart chambers, thickness & movement of walls of heart, extent of

damaged caused by heart attack or heart disease, inflammation or blockages of vessels, and structural problems to aorta (aneurysm) Computed tomography (CT) Scan - Correct Answer - Combines x-ray images taken from different angles and uses computer procession to create cross-sectional images or slices of the bone, blood vessels, and soft tissue

• More detailed than plain x-ray
• Used to: locate tumor, infection or clot, guide procedures, detect & monitor diseases, monitor

effectiveness of treatments, and to detect internal bleeding Holter Monitor - Correct Answer - Small, wearable device which keeps track of heart rhythm

• Wore normally for 1-2 days, in this time device records all heartbeats
• Normally done after ECG if previous test doesn't give Dr enough information
• Used to test and monitor for irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) 2 / 3

Cardiac Markers - Correct Answer - Biomarkers measured to evaluate heart function

• Elevated levels usually indicates myocardial infarction

Types of Cardiac Markers - Correct Answer - Troponin - is released during MI

• High levels of Creatine kinase enzyme can also indicate a heart attack

Troponin - Correct Answer - Cardiac enzyme/protein released from the heart muscle when it is damaged

• The greater the damage to the heart, the higher the level

Creatine Kinase (CK-MB) - Correct Answer - Cardiac enzyme/protein released from the heart muscle into the blood immediately following a heart attack

• 18-24 hours the level rises after an attack and then gradually returns to normal within a few days
• Together w/ troponin confirms heart attack

Serum Lipids - Correct Answer - "Blood fats" are either free flowing or bound to other cells

• Non soluble in water
• Concentration of lipids depends on intake and excretion
• They're mainly "fatty acids" and "cholesterol"
• High levels or abnormal lipids and/or the presence of lipoproteins in the blood puts the pt at risk for

cardiovascular problems Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 - Correct Answer - Enzyme which travels through the bloodstream, carrying low-density lipoproteins

• Only 20% carry high-density lipoproteins
• Water soluble & produced by inflammatory cells

Low-Density Lipoproteins - Correct Answer - "Bad" cholesterol

• High levels lead to buildup of cholesterol in your arteries

High-Density Lipoproteins - Correct Answer - "Good" cholesterol

• Carries cholesterol from other parts of the body & brings it to liver to be removed
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