A rhythm in which every other beat is a premature ventricular contraction is called bigeminy.
Missing Word
bigeminy
In bigeminy, normal beats and PVCs alternate. Frequent PVCs like this call for checking electrolytes and watching for runs of ventricular tachycardia.
Category: Dysrhythmias
Question 2
Continuous remote monitoring of a hospitalized patient's heart rhythm from a central station is called telemetry.
Missing Word
telemetry
Telemetry lets nurses watch for dysrhythmias in real time. It is applied for conditions such as heart block, frequent PVCs, or after a myocardial infarction.
Category: Dysrhythmias
Question 3
Long-standing hypertension makes the left ventricle work harder, and the increase in the size of its muscle cells that thickens its wall is called hypertrophy.
Missing Word
hypertrophy
Left ventricular hypertrophy is a compensatory response to high afterload. Over time the thickened muscle stiffens and fatigues, contributing to heart failure.
Category: Hypertension
Question 4
An enlarged heart, which a chest x-ray may show in a patient with heart failure, is called cardiomegaly.
Missing Word
cardiomegaly
Cardiomegaly reflects chambers that have dilated or thickened under strain. It is a common imaging finding in heart failure along with pulmonary congestion.
Category: Heart Failure
Question 5
Enlargement of the liver from venous congestion in right-sided heart failure is called hepatomegaly.
Missing Word
hepatomegaly
When the right heart cannot move blood forward, blood backs up into the liver, which swells and may raise liver enzyme levels. The spleen can enlarge as well.
Category: Heart Failure
Question 6
After a myocardial infarction or long-standing strain, the ventricles change in size, shape and function in a process called remodeling.
Missing Word
remodeling
Remodeling begins as an attempt to keep up cardiac output but eventually weakens the heart. It also makes cardiac cells more excitable, which raises the risk of dysrhythmias.
Category: Heart Failure
Question 7
A temporary reduction in blood flow that deprives heart muscle of oxygen without killing the cells is called ischemia.
Missing Word
ischemia
Ischemia is reversible if flow is restored, as when angina resolves with rest. If the artery stays blocked, the cells die and an infarction results.
Category: Myocardial Infarction
Question 8
In coronary artery disease, LDL cholesterol builds up in the inner lining of the artery as plaque, and a clot that forms where it ruptures can block the vessel and cause an infarction.
Missing Word
plaque
Plaque is the fatty deposit of atherosclerosis. It narrows the artery and limits flow, and when it ruptures, platelets and red cells gather to form a thrombus that can block the artery completely and kill the heart muscle it supplies.
Category: Myocardial Infarction
Question 9
After coronary artery bypass grafting, the nurse also checks the leg incision where a saphenous vein was removed for use as a graft.
Missing Word
saphenous
The great saphenous vein in the leg is commonly harvested to bypass blocked coronary arteries. The leg incision is assessed for bleeding, swelling and signs of infection along with the chest incision, and elevating the leg helps limit edema.
Category: Myocardial Infarction
Question 10
Coronary artery bypass surgery is usually performed through a sternotomy, an incision through the breastbone.
Missing Word
sternotomy
A sternotomy opens the chest so the surgeon can reach the heart. Afterward, patients follow precautions that protect the healing breastbone and receive ICU-level care.
Category: Myocardial Infarction
Question 11
A tear in the inner layer of the aortic wall that lets blood flow between the layers of the wall is called a dissection.
Missing Word
dissection
In a dissection, blood forces its way into the vessel wall, which can rupture or block branch arteries. It is a surgical emergency, and blood pressure is closely controlled.
Category: Aortic and Carotid Disease
Question 12
Surgically opening a narrowed carotid artery and removing the fatty deposits from its inner lining is called a carotid endarterectomy.
Missing Word
endarterectomy
An endarterectomy opens the artery and clears the fatty buildup to restore blood flow to the brain and lower stroke risk. Afterward the nurse checks the incision and neurologic status.
Category: Aortic and Carotid Disease
Question 13
Chronic venous insufficiency develops when the valves in the leg veins fail to close properly, so blood pools in the lower legs.
Missing Word
valves
Healthy vein valves keep blood moving toward the heart. When they become incompetent, blood flows backward and pools, causing aching, edema, varicose veins and venous stasis ulcers, which is why leg elevation and compression stockings are taught.
Category: Peripheral Vascular Disease
Question 14
Removing dead tissue from a leg ulcer so that healthy tissue can grow and the wound can heal is called debridement.
Missing Word
debridement
Dead tissue slows healing and harbors bacteria, so removing it is often part of venous ulcer care along with dressings and compression. In an arterial ulcer, dry dead tissue may be left in place until blood flow is restored, so the plan depends on the ulcer type.
Category: Peripheral Vascular Disease
Question 15
Severe arterial disease that leads to gangrene of a toe or foot may end in amputation of the affected part.
Missing Word
amputation
When tissue dies from lack of blood flow and cannot be saved by revascularization, the dead part may need to be removed. Preventing this outcome is a goal of risk factor control and foot protection.
Category: Peripheral Vascular Disease