Flashcards Cardiology 1-5 and 6-10 and 11-15 and 21-23 focused

A patient presents with chest pain and is later diagnosed with impaired blood flow to the heart muscle due to atherosclerosis. Using your understanding of cardiovascular conditions, explain the likely diagnosis and discuss the potential consequences if left untreated.

• Coronary Artery Disease; can lead to heart attacks and chest pain if untreated.

• Hypertension; can lead to headaches and vision problems if untreated.

• Arrhythmias; can lead to irregular heartbeats and dizziness if untreated.

• Heart Failure; can lead to swelling in the legs and persistent cough if untreated.

Given a patient with abnormal heart rhythms resulting in fainting and palpitations, reason through the possible risks and explain why immediate intervention might be necessary.

• Arrhythmias; because they can lead to sudden cardiac death if not managed.

• Heart Failure; because it can cause fluid buildup in the lungs.

• Hypertension; because it can cause chronic headaches.

• Coronary Artery Disease; because it can cause leg pain.

A pharmacologist is developing a new drug to manage conditions involving the heart and blood vessels. Using strategic reasoning, identify which system the drug should target and justify your answer based on its role in nutrient delivery and disease management.

• Cardiovascular system; it is responsible for circulating blood and managing conditions like hypertension and heart failure.

• Respiratory system; it is responsible for oxygen exchange and managing asthma.

• Digestive system; it is responsible for nutrient absorption and managing ulcers.

• Nervous system; it is responsible for signal transmission and managing epilepsy.

A patient with elevated blood pressure is at increased risk for several complications. Using evidence and reasoning, explain which conditions this patient is most at risk for and why.

• Heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease; because hypertension increases the risk for these conditions.

• Asthma, diabetes, and arthritis; because hypertension directly causes these diseases.

• Liver failure, anemia, and pneumonia; because hypertension affects these organs.

• Migraine, eczema, and osteoporosis; because hypertension is linked to these conditions.

A patient with heart failure is not responding well to diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and beta-blockers. As a clinician, which additional class of drugs could you consider adding to their regimen based on current pharmacological options, and what is the rationale for your choice?

• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), because they provide an alternative pathway for reducing cardiac workload and have shown efficacy in heart failure management.

• Nitrates, because they are primarily used for antianginal therapy and not for heart failure.

• Sodium channel blockers, because they are mainly used for arrhythmias rather than heart failure.

• Calcium channel blockers, because they are not first-line agents in heart failure due to potential negative inotropic effects.

A patient with a history of arrhythmias is being considered for a new medication. Based on the pharmacological classes listed, which type of drug would you select to specifically target abnormal sodium influx in cardiac cells, and what is the reasoning behind your choice?

• Sodium channel blockers, because they directly inhibit abnormal sodium influx, stabilizing cardiac cell membranes and correcting arrhythmias.

• Beta-blockers, because they primarily reduce sympathetic stimulation rather than directly affecting sodium channels.

• Diuretics, because they do not have a direct effect on cardiac sodium channels.

• Nitrates, because they are used for angina, not for arrhythmia management.

A patient with angina is prescribed a medication to relieve their symptoms. Using your knowledge of antianginal drugs, explain how these medications work and which outcomes they aim to achieve.

• Increase systemic vascular resistance to raise blood pressure.

• Increase blood flow to the heart muscle, reduce myocardial oxygen demand, or both.

• Modify electrical impulses to slow the heart rate.

• Reduce preload and afterload to improve heart function.

A patient presents with symptoms of heart failure. As a clinician, which diagnostic tool would you strategically select to assess heart function, and what reasoning supports your choice over other diagnostic methods listed?

• Echocardiography, because it specifically assesses heart function for heart failure.

• Blood Pressure Measurement, because it detects arrhythmias.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG), because it measures blood pressure.

• Stress Tests, because they are used for weight management.

Consider a patient with arrhythmias and ischemic changes. Which diagnostic tool would you prioritize, and what is your rationale for this decision based on evidence and clinical reasoning?

• Electrocardiogram (ECG), as it detects arrhythmias and ischemic changes.

• Blood Pressure Measurement, as it is used for surgical interventions.

• Echocardiography, as it is used for smoking cessation.

• Stress Tests, as they are used for medication adherence.

A patient recovering from cardiovascular surgery is experiencing increased pain and signs of infection at the surgical site. Using your knowledge of nursing interventions, outline a strategic plan for postoperative care that addresses these complications and supports the patient’s rehabilitation.

• Focus only on pain management and ignore infection signs, as they are common after surgery.

• Provide pain management, monitor for infection, educate the patient on wound care, and coordinate rehabilitation activities.

• Discharge the patient early to reduce hospital-acquired infections.

• Increase medication dosage without consulting the provider.