Cardiovascular System Study For NCLEX, Questions and Review

I have compiled the heart of the NCLEX test here, and on some of the links below. Please study this information, and you will be sure to pass the NCLEX exam the first time.

There are a lot of books available and the only ones I can recommend are the sylvsteri, Exam Cram and the ATI, if you like DVD's.

The reason I suggest buying one of them is to get used to practice questions. Practicing the questions every day is a great way to prepare for this exam. As far as content goes, just review these pages or look into the ATI.

Diagnostic Procedures

Thallium Stress Test

-Studies the myocardium uptake and elimination of the isotope to determine tissue damage. Damaaged Myocardium tissue retains the isotope longer.

Exercise Stress Testing- analysis EKG, BP, PR during a thread mill exercise.

EXERCISE = Increases cardiac work load=myocardial hypoxemia- depression of ST segments, exercise intolerance.

Holter Monitor- used to evaluate heart rate and rhythm in a given period of time.

Arteriosclerosis- is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is the thickening of plague in the blood vessels.

ASSESSMENTS; A Transient Ischemic Attack, HTN, Angina

Nursing Care; low calorie, cholesterol and fat diet. Vasodilators

CARE Of The Patient with HTN:

daily weight, I&O, electrolytes, medications, ischemic episodes, monitor for complications of 4 C's Coronary Artery Disease, Chronic Renal Failure. and CHF- Cerebro Vascular Accident

Coronary Artery Disease: is the impaired blood circulation to the heart muscle causing tissue damage.

ASSESSMENTS: ECG, Holter Monitor, Angiogram, serum enzymes and isoemzymes- SGOT, LDH, CPK

Common symptom of coronary artery disease. Caused by lack of adequate blood supply to the myocardium.

ASSESSMENTS: tachycardia, substernal chest pain, dyspnea, anxiety , radiation of pain to the jaw or extremity, indigestion

Management: planned rest periods, vasodilating drugs, stress management, relief of chest pain, dietary restriction of fat and cholesterol.

Nursing care: Provide emotional support and assurance, educate family about diet and drug therapy, relief of pain - nitroglycerin sublingual (gr.1/150)

reduction or occlusion of arterial blood flow to a portion of the myocardium often leads to necrosis to that portion.

ASSESSMENTS; arrhythmias, SOB, CRUSHING or TIGHTNESS @ substernal chest pain, anxiety, unrelieved by nitroglycerin SL

MANAGEMENT; monitor for cardiac arrhythmias, analgesic drugs to relieve pain, 02 relieve respiratory distress, vassopressor drugs to prevent cardiogenic shock, bedrest to progressive activity, pacemaker

NURSING CARE FOCUS: pain relief, adequate bedrest, avoid straining activities, administer and monitor oxygen.