Cathy Lockett – The Heart in Detail

Outline

Cardiovascular Assessment: Critical Clues You Should NEVER Miss

• Contrasting Electrical from Mechanical Cardiac function
• Hemodynamics: Understanding Cardiac Output

Don’t Miss a Beat Interpreting Heart Sounds

• Contrast Normal from Abnormal Heart Sounds
• Murmurs: Differentiating Systolic from Diastolic
• S3/S4 Gallops
• Compensatory Mechanisms
• Maintaining Cardiac Output & Blood Pressure

Fast & Slow Dysrhythmias

• Choosing Your Monitor Leads Wisely
• The NEED TO KNOW Arrhythmias
• Bradycardias/AV Blocks
• Tachycardias
• Contrasting Atrial Fibrillation from Atrial Flutter
• Mono and Polymorphic V-Tach
• Ventricular Fibrillation
• Critical Nursing Actions

Clues from the EKG

• Anatomy of the 12-Lead, 15-Lead and Right-Sided EKG
• Differentiating Limb leads from Chest Leads
• Cardiac Axis Meaning and Assessment: Utilizing the Thumb Technique

Acute Coronary Syndrome: Diagnosis & Management Guidelines

• STEMI vs. NSTEMI Treatment Strategies
• Critical Cardiac Labs
• EKG Interpretation: A Systematic Approach to Detection Identifying the Differences
• Urgent vs. Emergent Interventions

Cardiovascular Drug Cabinet: Pharmacological Therapies

• AHA Guidelines: When to Use & Why
• Dual Anti-Platelet Therapy
• Beta Blockers
• ACE Inhibitors
• Anticoagulation
• Statins
• Mechanism of Action

The Failing Heart: Acute Management Priorities Systolic vs. Diastolic Heart Failure

• Classification Systems
• Neurohormonal Activation
• Perfusion & Congestion Assessment
• The Importance of Unloading the Heart
• Evidence-Based Treatment
• Acute Medication Protocols
• Nursing Considerations With: Biventricular Pacing
• Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
• LVAD

Valvular Heart Disease: Why the Left Side?

• Contrasting Stenotic Valvular Dysfunction from Insufficiency
• Physical Assessment Clues
• Signs & Symptoms
• Associated Murmurs

Advanced Skills in Assessment & Decision-Making

• Creating a Hemodynamic Profile without a PA Catheter
• Assessing Volume Status
• Jugular Vein Distention
• Importance of Pulse Pressure
• The Value of Heart Sounds