Cardiology Flashcards

The normal heart rate for a newborn is:

Answer: 140 – 160

Newborns have significantly higher resting heart rates compared to older children and adults due to their higher metabolic rate and smaller cardiac output per beat. A normal heart rate for a newborn typically ranges between 140 and 160 beats per minute, though it can vary slightly. This elevated rate is essential to meet their physiological demands.

The normal heart rate for a child between the ages of 1-6:

Answer: 100 – 120

Normal heart rates vary significantly with age. For children between 1 and 6 years old, their cardiovascular system is still developing, resulting in a faster resting heart rate compared to adults. The typical range for this age group is 100 to 120 beats per minute, reflecting their higher metabolic demands.

The normal heart rate for a child over the age of 6 is:

Answer: 80 – 100

As children mature past the age of 6, their cardiovascular system continues to develop, and their resting heart rate gradually decreases. For a child over 6 years old, the normal heart rate range typically falls between 80 and 100 beats per minute. This rate is closer to that of an adult as their body grows and metabolic demands stabilize.

The correct flow of blood through the heart and lungs is…?

Answer: Inferior/superior vena cavae, right atrium, right ventricle, lungs, left atrium, left ventricle, aorta

Deoxygenated blood from the body enters the right atrium via the vena cavae, then flows into the right ventricle, which pumps it to the lungs for oxygenation. Oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium, moves into the left ventricle, and is then pumped out to the rest of the body through the aorta. This precise sequence ensures efficient circulation and oxygen delivery.

What is the difference between angina pectoris and a myocardial infarction?

Answer: Angina pectoris is caused by physical or emotional stress

Angina pectoris is chest pain caused by temporary myocardial ischemia, often triggered by physical exertion or emotional stress, and typically relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. In contrast, a myocardial infarction (heart attack) involves permanent heart muscle damage due to prolonged ischemia, and its pain is usually not relieved by rest. This difference in cause and relief is a key distinguishing factor.

Your patient is an 80-year old male with shortness of breath. Which of the following could your patient be suffering from?

Answer: All of the above

Shortness of breath in an elderly patient is a non-specific symptom that can indicate several serious cardiac conditions. Congestive heart failure often causes fluid buildup in the lungs, leading to dyspnea, while a myocardial infarction can impair the heart's pumping ability, also resulting in breathing difficulties. Both of these conditions fall under the umbrella of cardiac compromise, making 'All of the above' the correct answer.

The three-flap valve located on the right side of the heart is the:

Answer: Tricuspid valve

The tricuspid valve is a crucial component of the heart's right side, situated between the right atrium and the right ventricle. It is characterized by its three cusps or flaps, which open and close to regulate the flow of deoxygenated blood and prevent backflow into the right atrium during ventricular contraction.

What does the Mitral valve do?

Answer: Prevents blood from back-flowing into the left Atrium

The mitral valve, also known as the bicuspid valve, is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. Its primary function is to prevent the backflow of oxygenated blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium during ventricular systole (contraction). This ensures that blood is efficiently pumped forward into the aorta.

A 45-year-old male patient is experiencing chest discomfort. After placing him in his position of comfort, your next action should be to ___________?

Answer: Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 15 liters per minute.

For a patient experiencing chest discomfort, administering high-flow oxygen via a nonrebreather mask at 15 liters per minute is a critical initial intervention. This helps to maximize oxygen delivery to the heart muscle and reduce myocardial workload, especially when cardiac ischemia is suspected. While positioning for comfort is important, oxygen directly addresses potential hypoxia.

Your patient is a 62-year-old man with a history of heart disease. He is experiencing chest pain. Your first action should be to ____________?

Answer: Place him in a comfortable position and administer high-flow oxygen.

For a patient with a history of heart disease experiencing chest pain, the immediate priorities are to ensure comfort and adequate oxygenation. Placing the patient in a comfortable position (often semi-Fowler's) and administering high-flow oxygen via a nonrebreather mask helps reduce myocardial workload and improve oxygen supply. These steps are foundational before considering medication assistance.

Which heart rhythm often converts to ventricular fibrillation?

Answer: Ventricular tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a rapid, abnormal heart rhythm originating in the ventricles. If sustained and untreated, VT can quickly degenerate into ventricular fibrillation (VF), a chaotic and life-threatening rhythm where the heart quivers ineffectively. VF is a common cause of sudden cardiac arrest and requires immediate defibrillation.

Patients commonly describe heart attack pain as which of the following characteristic?

Answer: Crushing or squeezing

Patients experiencing a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or angina commonly describe the chest pain as a crushing, squeezing, or heavy sensation. This characteristic discomfort often radiates to the arm, jaw, or back. Recognizing this specific description is crucial for identifying potential cardiac emergencies and initiating appropriate care.

Which patient is showing signs and symptoms of cardiac compromise?

Answer: 53-year-old woman: dull chest pain, sudden sweating, difficulty breathing

Cardiac compromise often presents with a combination of symptoms, including dull chest pain, sudden sweating (diaphoresis), and difficulty breathing (dyspnea). These symptoms, especially in a middle-aged individual, are highly indicative of a potential cardiac event. The other options present symptoms that are less specific or more indicative of other conditions.

Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygen-rich blood out to the body tissues?

Answer: Left ventricle

The left ventricle is the most muscular and powerful chamber of the heart. Its primary function is to pump oxygen-rich blood into the aorta, which then distributes it to the entire systemic circulation of the body. This high-pressure pumping action requires its thick, strong walls.

A 64-year-old female has just collapsed in cardiac arrest. You are alone. After your initial assessment, you should give two ventilations, then

Answer: Analyze the rhythm, and deliver a shock if indicated.

In an adult patient who has just collapsed in cardiac arrest, after initial assessment and providing two ventilations (if using rescue breaths), the next critical step is to apply an automated external defibrillator (AED). The AED will analyze the heart rhythm and advise if a shock is indicated, as early defibrillation significantly improves survival rates for shockable rhythms like ventricular fibrillation.