Chapter 14: Caring for Cardiac Emergencies

Front

Which of the following is NOT one of the three basic problems that generally cause cardiac conditions?
Interruption of blood flow to the heart muscle
Interruption of nerve pulses from the brain
Problems with the heart’s rhythm
Problems with the heart’s pumping

Back

Interruption of nerve pulses from the brain

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Interruption of nerve pulses from the brain' because the three basic problems causing cardiac conditions are related to blood flow, heart rhythm, and pumping issues, not nerve impulses.

Front

A 55-year-old patient is complaining of pain in his neck, back, and jaw. He also states that he feels nauseated and light-headed. You should suspect a(n) ________ emergency.

Back

cardiac

Answer explanation

The patient's symptoms of neck, back, and jaw pain, along with nausea and light-headedness, are classic signs of a cardiac emergency, such as a heart attack. Other options do not align with the symptom profile.

Front

In the mnemonic OPQRST, used to assist with the evaluation of a patient in discomfort, the “P” stands for:

Back

Provocation

Answer explanation

In the mnemonic OPQRST, the 'P' stands for 'Provocation', which refers to what makes the pain worse or better. This helps in understanding the patient's discomfort more clearly.

Front

A patient with chest pain and discomfort should be considered unstable and should be monitored frequently, with reassessment at least every ______ minutes.

Back

5

Answer explanation

A patient with chest pain is considered unstable and requires close monitoring. Reassessing every 5 minutes allows for timely detection of any changes in the patient's condition, making 5 the correct choice.

Front

A patient who has taken her prescribed nitroglycerin for chest pain may experience the side effect of: hypertension, pulmonary edema, hypotension, hyperventilation.

Back

hypotension.

Answer explanation

Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that can lower blood pressure, leading to hypotension. This is a common side effect, while hypertension, pulmonary edema, and hyperventilation are not typically associated with its use.

Front

The term “cardiac ________” describes specific signs and symptoms that indicate some type of emergency relating to the heart.

Back

compromise

Answer explanation

The term 'cardiac compromise' specifically refers to a range of signs and symptoms indicating a heart-related emergency, making it the most appropriate choice compared to 'syndrome', 'condition', or 'dysfunction'.

Front

The oxygenated blood supply for the heart is provided by which blood vessels?

Back

The coronary arteries

Answer explanation

The coronary arteries are responsible for supplying oxygenated blood to the heart muscle itself, ensuring it receives the necessary nutrients and oxygen to function effectively.

Front

A condition that results when the blood supply to a portion of the heart is interrupted is called a(n):

Back

myocardial infarction.

Answer explanation

A myocardial infarction occurs when blood supply to a part of the heart is blocked, leading to tissue damage. This distinguishes it from other options like angina pectoris, which involves temporary pain without permanent damage.

Front

In the condition known as ________, a patient has difficulty breathing because inefficient beating of the heart causes fluid to build up in the lungs.

Back

congestive heart failure

Answer explanation

In congestive heart failure, the heart's inefficiency leads to fluid accumulation in the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing. This distinguishes it from conditions like COPD, asthma, and pneumonia, which have different underlying causes.

Front

A myocardial infarction occurs when one of the ________ arteries is blocked, preventing blood from getting to the heart muscle.

Back

coronary

Answer explanation

A myocardial infarction, or heart attack, occurs when one of the coronary arteries is blocked. These arteries supply blood to the heart muscle, and their blockage prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart.