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Cardiac Disorders: Understanding CAD, Angina, and Myocardial Infarction Study Guide

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the normal structure and function of the human heart. It covers the heart's anatomy, including its chambers and layers, and details the path of blood flow through the circulatory system, emphasizing the role of heart valves. The guide also explains the heart's electrical conduction system, the cardiac cycle (systole and diastole), key hemodynamic parameters like cardiac output and blood pressure, and the impact of aging on cardiovascular health. Th

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Pharmacology and Nursing Care of Cardiac Medications

Drugs for Cardiac Disorders

Medications used for angina, anticoagulation, antiplatelet therapy, and heart failure including calcium channel blockers, heparin, warfarin, and diuretics.

  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Anticoagulants
  • Antiplatelets
  • Warfarin
  • Heart failure therapy
  • Diuretics

Pharmacology of Cardiac Disorder Medications

Information regarding medication action, side effects, and nursing considerations for drugs used in cardiac disorders including diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta blockers, and digitalis glycosides.

  • RAAS suppression
  • ACE inhibitors
  • Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitors
  • Loop diuretics
  • Beta blockers
  • Digitalis glycosides
  • Cardiac output
  • Afterload and preload
  • Hyperkalemia and hypokalemia
  • Digoxin toxicity
  • Nursing considerations for cardiac medications

Cardiac Laboratory Values and Drug Classes

Identify normal and abnormal laboratory values, understand the purpose of elevated levels, and explain the action, side effects, and nursing considerations for various drug classes.

  • Hemoglobin
  • Hematocrit
  • Sodium
  • Potassium
  • Total cholesterol
  • HDL
  • LDL
  • Triglyceride levels
  • Troponin
  • C-reactive protein (CRP)
  • HMG-CoA Inhibitors
  • Vasodilators
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Anticoagulants
  • Diuretics
  • ACE Inhibitors
  • Beta Blockers
  • Cardiac Glycosides

Cardiac Structure, Function, and ECG Analysis

PQRST Basics of the Cardiac Cycle

Educational notes describing the P-wave, PR segment, QRS complex, and T-wave through ECG diagrams and heart illustrations.

  • P-wave
  • SA node
  • Atrial depolarization
  • PR segment
  • AV node
  • QRS complex
  • Bundle of HIS
  • Right/left bundle branches
  • Purkinje fibers
  • Ventricular depolarization
  • T-wave
  • Ventricular repolarization

Cardiac Normal Structure and Function

This content covers cardiac normal structure and function including chambers, blood flow, valves, heart sounds, coronary blood flow, conduction system, cardiac innervation, and the cardiac cycle.

  • Cardiac chambers
  • Endocardium
  • Myocardium
  • Epicardium
  • Blood flow
  • Atrioventricular valves
  • Semilunar valves
  • Heart sounds
  • Coronary blood flow
  • Conduction system
  • Cardiac innervation
  • Sympathetic nervous system
  • Parasympathetic nervous system
  • Cardiac cycle
  • Diastole
  • Cardiac output
  • Stroke volume
  • Preload
  • Afterload

Cardiac Structure Function and Diagnostic Testing

Information regarding physical exams, lab tests, diagnostic procedures, and nursing care for cardiac patients including pacemakers.

  • Cardiac Enzymes
  • Troponin
  • Myoglobin
  • Complete Blood Count
  • Lipid Profile
  • C-reactive Protein
  • Electrocardiogram
  • Echocardiogram
  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Pacemakers
  • Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator

Cardiac Conduction and ECG Interpretation

Understand the cardiac conduction system, identify ECG segments and waves, and interpret ECG strips to determine rate, regularity, rhythm, and treatment for dysrhythmias.

  • cardiac conduction system
  • P wave
  • PR interval
  • QRS complex
  • T wave
  • ST elevation
  • ST depression
  • Normal Sinus Rhythm
  • Sinus Tachycardia
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Ventricular Tachycardia
  • Ventricular Fibrillation
  • Asystole

Basic ECG Analysis and Cardiac Function

ECG is a graphic representation of electrical activity of the heart revealing electrical function through cardiac action potential and conduction pathways.

  • Sinus tachycardia
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Ventricular tachycardia
  • Ventricular fibrillation
  • Asystole
  • Myocardial Cells
  • Pacemaker Cells
  • Automaticity
  • Conductivity
  • Excitability
  • Cardiac Action Potential
  • Polarization
  • Depolarization
  • Repolarization
  • SA Node
  • AV Node
  • Bundle of His
  • Bundle Branches

ECG Analysis and Cardiac Dysrhythmias

Analysis of various cardiac rhythms including sinus dysrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and asystole.

  • Sinus Tachycardia
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Ventricular Tachycardia
  • Ventricular Fibrillation
  • Asystole
  • P waves
  • QRS complex
  • Cardiac output
  • Defibrillation
  • CPR

Pathophysiology and Nursing Care of Cardiac Disorders

Overview of Cardiac Disorders

This content covers coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, and acute myocardial infarction including risk factors, signs, symptoms, and medical treatment.

  • Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Angina Pectoris
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)
  • Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)
  • STEMI vs NSTEMI
  • Cardiac Enzymes
  • Troponin
  • MONA treatment
  • Risk Factors
  • Nursing Care

Cardiac Disorders and Heart Failure Management

This content covers heart failure pathophysiology, complications, medical diagnosis, nursing care, and valve replacement options.

  • Acute Myocardial Infarction complications
  • Heart failure pathophysiology
  • Systolic and diastolic failure
  • Cardiac output and tissue perfusion
  • Compensatory mechanisms (SNS, RAAS, BNP)
  • Cardiac remodeling
  • Left-sided and right-sided heart failure
  • Medical diagnostic tests
  • Non-pharmacological treatments
  • Mitral valve prolapse
  • Tissue and prosthetic valve replacement

Cardiac Disorder Pathophysiology and Nursing Care

Understand cardiac disorders including pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests, medical treatment, nursing care, and patient education.

  • Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
  • Myocardial Infarction (MI)
  • Heart Failure
  • Valvular disorders
  • Permanent pacemaker teaching
  • Exercise and pharmacologic stress test
  • Cardiac catheterization with PCI
  • Echocardiogram
  • Telemetry/ECG monitoring
  • Ambulatory ECG (Holter monitor)
  • Diet for coronary heart disease and lipid disorders

Congenital Cardiac Disorders and Symptoms

Identify congenital disorders, common signs, symptoms, and risks associated with specific cardiac conditions.

  • Atrial-Septal Defect
  • Ventricular-Septal Defect
  • Patent Ductus Arteriosus
  • Coarctation of the Aorta
  • Tetralogy of Fallot
  • Congenital disorders signs and symptoms

Congenital Heart Defects Overview

Congenital heart defects are classified as acyanotic or cyanotic and involve defects in the septum, vessels, and valves.

  • Congenital Heart Defects
  • Acyanotic defects
  • Cyanotic defects
  • Atrial-Septal Defect (ASD)
  • Ventricular-Septal Defect (VSD)
  • Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
  • Fluid overload
  • Right sided failure

Congenital Heart Defects and Nursing Care

Defects of the vessels and valves including coarctation of the aorta and tetralogy of fallot require surgery, medications, oxygen, and nursing care.

  • Coarctation of the Aorta
  • Tetralogy of Fallot
  • Pathophysiology
  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Cyanosis
  • Squatting position
  • Nursing Care
  • Parent Education
  • Co-existing heart failure
  • Oxygenation
  • Nutrition

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