Outline

Critical Clues you should never miss are the cardiovascular assessment.

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

Don’t forget to listen to the heart sounds.

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

Dysrhythmias are fast and slow.

• 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

There are 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

Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Acute Coronary Syndrome.

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

There is a cardiovascular drug cabinet.

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

Acute management priorities are systolic and diastolic.

• 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

Why the Left Side has Valvular Heart Disease?

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

There are advanced skills in assessment and 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