Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam Pathophysiology & Disease Processes Flashcards

Which pathophysiological process distinguishes unstable angina from stable angina?

Answer: Plaque rupture with partial thrombus formation without complete occlusion

Unstable angina is caused by plaque rupture and platelet aggregation forming a non-occlusive thrombus, creating unpredictable ischemia at rest or with minimal exertion.

In peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which pathophysiological change causes claudication pain?

Answer: Inadequate arterial blood flow creating ischemia in exercising muscles

Atherosclerotic stenosis limits blood flow to limb muscles during exercise; when oxygen demand exceeds supply, ischemia causes cramping pain that resolves with rest.

Which mechanism causes the widened pulse pressure seen in aortic regurgitation?

Answer: High stroke volume increases systolic pressure while regurgitant backflow lowers diastolic pressure

In aortic regurgitation, large forward stroke volume raises systolic pressure, while regurgitation of blood back into the ventricle during diastole causes low diastolic pressure.

Ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction involves which structural change that increases risk of heart failure?

Answer: Infarct expansion and dilation of the ventricle with thinning of the infarcted wall

Post-MI remodeling involves infarct expansion, ventricular dilation, and wall thinning driven by neurohormonal activation and inflammatory mediators, increasing wall stress and heart failure risk.

Which mechanism explains why hypertensive patients are at increased risk for both ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke?

Answer: Chronic hypertension promotes atherosclerosis causing embolic stroke and weakens small vessel walls causing rupture

Chronic hypertension accelerates atherosclerosis in large cerebral arteries predisposing to embolic stroke, while also causing lipohyalinosis and microaneurysm formation in small penetrating arteries predisposing to hemorrhage.

Pulmonary hypertension in the context of left heart disease (Group 2 PH) develops through which mechanism?

Answer: Elevated left atrial pressure is transmitted backward, raising pulmonary venous and arterial pressures

Left ventricular dysfunction or mitral valve disease raises left atrial pressure, which is transmitted back through pulmonary veins, increasing pulmonary capillary and arterial pressures.