Cardiac Assessment/Flow of the Heart

Preload-the volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole.
Afterload-Resistance left ventricle must overcome to circulate blood.

SYSTOLE=contraction
DIASTOLE=relaxation

Cardiac Assessment:
Subjective Data:
*Past health Hx
*Medications (current and past)
*Sx and other Tx

Objective Data:
*V/S
-orthostatic/postural BPs and HRs should be monitored while pt. is lying, sitting and standing. Normally there is a reduction of up to 15 mm HG in the SBP and 3-5 mm HG in the DBP from the lying to standing position. HR should not increase more than 20 bpm from supine to standing position.
*Auscultation
-PMI/Apical pulse (Point of maximal impulse)-->when PMI is below the fifth ICS and left of the midclavicular line, the heart may be enlarged.
*Peripheral pulses

SEE p.749 for ABNORMALITIES!!

Terms:
Bruit-turbulent blood flow in an artery
Thrill-Vibration
Heaves-lifts (almost visualized pulses)/Pulsation

Pg. 740 Lewis


I found this video here.

Preload-the volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole.
Afterload-Resistance left ventricle must overcome to circulate blood.

SYSTOLE=contraction
DIASTOLE=relaxation