Respiratory resources

Need a little refresher on ABGs? Here are a couple good links:

• ABG interpretation quiz
• ABG tutorial

Here's another good one:

• Pulmonary system (CCM tutorial)

The above links are on Bonnie Boss' Test Bank, along with lots of NCLEX practice.

Also, don't forget to check out Bromme's old N7 lectures. There are two good PowerPoint presentations there on the respiratory system.

Oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve links:

• Interactive tool
• The curve described

Nursing 7 resources

Trina has posted lots of good stuff on this blog for Nursing 7, including the link to an explanation of the RAAS on Wikipedia. It was so helpful to me, I thought I should repost it, closer to the top... Check it out at this link... Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System. (Thanks, Trina!)

Note: the author's starting point on the diagram is a decrease in renal perfusion, but -- in his/her notes -- points out there are other ways RAAS can be activated -- "...by a low NaCl concentration in the macula densa or by sympathetic activation."

Be sure to scroll down for all the Nursing 7-related information. There are lots of other good posts by Trina and others, like Bonnie's links to information on hemodynamic basics or links to videos to refresh your clinical skills, next to the Starbucks IV bag below. Drink it up, y'all!

Nursing 7 is the perfect time to reacquaint yoursef with (or introduce) the information available on Bonnie Boss' "original" student blog she created for fellow SJDC nursing students. In addition to her excellent test bank, bringing us tons of NCLEX practice, she includes many links to supplementary information on a variety of relevant topics under "practice tests and quizzes" and "helpful links." Get to know what's out there. Bonnie's already done a lot of the legwork for us.

(Muchas gracias, Bonnie!)

FYI, Bonnie's now a full-time RN working in ICU at Lodi Memorial.

Heart Dz Quiz

1. Which condition most commonly results in CAD?

a. atherosclerosis

b. DM

c. MI
d. Renal failure

2. Atherosclerosis impedes coronary artery blood flow by:

a. plaques obstruct vein

b. plaques obstruct artery

c. Blood clots form outside vessel wall

d. Hardened vessels dilate to allow blood to flow thru.

3. Which serum cholesterol level increases risk of CAD?

a. 100mg/dl

b. 150

c. 175

d. 200

4. which is done first for a pt exhibiting s/sx of CAD?

a. decrease anxiety

b. enhance myocardial O2ation

c. Admin sublingual NTG

d. Educate pt about sx

5. Landmark for obtaining apical pulse

a. left 5th intercostal space, midaxillary line

b. left 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line

c. left 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line

d. left 7th intercostal space, midclavicular line

6. which blood test is most indicative of cardiac damage?

a. lactate dehydrogenase

b. CBC

c. Troponin I

d. Creatine kinase

7. Primary reason for administering Morphine to MI pt?

a. sedate

b. decrease chest pain

c. decrease anxiety

d. decrease O2 demand on heart

8. Most commonly responsible for MI?

a. aneurysm

b. HF

c. coronary artery thrombosis

d. renal failure

9. Which Dx tool used to most commonly deterine location of myocardial damage?

a. cardiac cath

b. cardiac enzymes

c. echo

d. ECG

10. First intervention for pt experiencing MI?
a. morphine

b. O2

c. sublingual NTG
d. obtain ECG

11. Most common complication of MI?

a. cardiogenic shock

b. HF

c. arrhythmias

d. pericarditis

12. which sx might a R sided HF pt exhibit?

a. adequate UO

b. polyuria

c. oliguria

d. polydipsia

13. Dyspnea, cough, expectoration, weakness, and edema are classic s/sx of:

a. pericarditis

b. htn

c. MI

d. HF

14. after undergoing cardiac cath, pt has a puddle of blood under his buttocks. which step should you take first?

a. call for help

b. obtain VS

c. Ask the pt to "lift up"

d. apply gloves and assess the groin

15. which type of pain characteristic of angina?

a. knifelike

b. sharp

c. shooting

d. tightness

16. drug of choice for angina pectoris?

a. aspirin

b. lasix

c. NTG

d. nifedipine

17. predominant cause of angina?

a. increased preload

b. decreased afterload

c. coronary arty spasm

d. inadequate O2 supply to the myocardium

18. which dx test used most often to dx angina?

a. CXR

b. echo

c. cardiac cath

d. 12 lead EKG

19. Primary tx goal for angina?

a. reversal of ischemia

b. reversal of infarction

c. redxn of stress and anxiety

d. redxn of associated risk factors

20. Earliest sign of Cardiogenic shock

a. tachycardia

b. decreased UO

c. presence of 4th heart sound

d. ALOC

Swan Ganz Insertion and Waveform

This shows actual insertion of a Swan Ganz and what the waveforms look like. I don't know about you guys, but I am always pleasantly surprised when I learn something and it is actually like real life!!

Swan Ganz Insertion and Waveform

You really only need to watch 3:20-5:30 of this video.

Oh, by the way. . . it is in Spanish, which is interesting, and you kind of feel like you should be on E as you listen to it (you will know what I am talking about when you watch it).

Also, this man made a good analogy for hemodynamics.

Understanding Hemodynamics

Early bird questions

Here are some questions regarding cardiac, so that I can actually practice before I get the test!!

Be forewarned that there is sound on the cardiac quiz site, so check your volume!
EKG simulator

Cardiac Quiz

Heart meds

Rhythms and Meds