Cardiac 1

Afterload reduction is achieved by what?

• Elevating SVR/ PVR

• Vasodilators

• Semilunar valve stenosis

• Hypovolemia

Answer explanation

Afterload is the pressure the heart must overcome to eject blood out of the ventricle. Increased SVR/PVR, BP, stenosis of pulmonic and aortic valve, increase afterload.

Hypovolemia decreases preload

Anything that decreases systemic BP will decrease afterload

This dysrhythmia is usually associated with hypomagnesemia

• Sinus arrhythmia

• Premature atrial beats

• Ventricular tachycardia

• Torsade's de Pointes

Answer explanation

Torsade's de Pointe

"twisting of the points"

Hypomagnesemia is one cause,

Others include:

Prolonged QT interval

Heart disease

Always treated with magnesium

Can lead to v-tach/ v-fib sudden cardiac death

Beta blockers can mask which condition?

• Hypoglycemia

• Hypercalcemia

• Hypokalemia

• Hypernatremia

Answer explanation

Tachycardia and tremor are common signs of hypoglycemia. Beta blockers block norepinephrine which is responsible for these reactions.

Sweating is still present

Amiodarone and lidocaine infusions are used for which dysrhythmias?

• A-Flutter and

  A-Fib

• PVC's and PAC's

• V-Tach and V-Fib

• PEA and Asystole

Answer explanation

Lidocaine and amiodarone are antidysrhythmic drugs used to treat ventricular dysrhythmias

Amiodarone can be used for a-fib/ flutter

Beta blockers are first choice for PVC and symptomatic PAC treatment

PEA and asystole require epinephrine

Why is dual anti-platelet therapy recommended after coronary artery stents?

• Decreases workload of the heart

• Decreases inflammation of the artery

• Decreases preload of the heart

• Decreases risk of recurrent MI

Answer explanation

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) prevents stent thrombosis and ischemic events that would lead to a MI.

Which blood pressure is considered prehypertensive?

• 118/78

• 130/90

• 126/82

• 134/92

Answer explanation

Prehypertension is systolic less than 140 or greater than 120

Diastolic less than 90

Which risk factor is not modifiable?

• Age

• Activity level

• Diet

• Stress level

Answer explanation

Non-modifiable risk factors are things a person cannot change such as:

age

genetics

race

sex

Which medications are "prils"?

• Ace inhibitors

• Angiotensin II receptor blockers

• Calcium channel blockers

• Beta blockers

Answer explanation

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors decrease blood pressure by stopping the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II.

ACE inhibitors are used to treat hypertension. They have little effect on heart rate

Unstable angina is usually triggered by increased activity

• True

• False

• I am not sure

• What's angina

Answer explanation

Stable angina is triggered by increased activity (d/t increased myocardial oxygen demand) and relieved by rest and or sl ntg.

Unstable angina can begin without cause. It is not relieved by rest and or sl ntg

Virchow's Triad includes everything but what?

• Hypercoagulability

• Circulatory stasis

• Supratherapeutic INR

• Vascular damage