MSN 377 Exam 1 Study Guide
1. Cardiac monitoring modes: patient teaching needed
2. Hypertensive urgency & emergency:
a. Differentiation
b. Treatment modalities / medications
c. Complications
3. Rhythms - what findings indicate normal sinus rhythm?
4. Dysrhythmias:
a. Sinus, atrial, ventricular, asystole, PEA
b. Nursing assessments
c. Causes
d. Interventions – pharmacologic & nonpharmacologic
5. Pacemakers:
a. Types
b. Nursing assessments
c. Interventions
d. Potential complications
6. ICDs:
a. Nursing assessments
b. Interventions
c. Indications for firing
7. Defibrillation / Cardioversion:
a. Differentiate
b. Indications for each
c. Nursing preparations / assessments
d. Interventions
8. Post cardiac arrest management – what interventions are included for the patient who remains unconscious?
9. Angina:
a. Types
b. Treatments for each type / medications
10. When a patient arrives in the ED with suspected ACS, what is the sequence of events (nursing interventions,
medications, diagnostic testing, etc.) in order of priority?
11. ACS:
a. What 12-lead ECG changes occur with ischemia, injury, and infarct (MI)?
b. Lab tests used to diagnose acute MI?
c. Differentiate STEMI vs. NSTEMI
12. AMI:
a. Potential complications
b. Medications used to treat CAD / ACS / MI - mechanisms of action and potential side effects?
13. PCI:
a. Nursing interventions (pre- & post-procedure)
b. Possible complications post PCI; nursing assessments / interventions
c. Medications to prevent thrombus formation after stent/PCI
14. CABG:
a. Client & family teaching needed prior to open-heart surgery
b. Possible complications after CABG? How treated?
15. ADHF:
a. Medications used to treat ADHF - mechanisms of action & potential side effects?
b. Nursing interventions & education for the patient with heart failure?
16. What medications can act on preload, afterload, and contractility (increase or decrease)? Know how to
calculate IV drip pump rates using mcg/kg/min as ordered.
Exam Breakdown
(Approximate number of questions per topic)
Cardiac overview & ECG monitoring
2
ECG interpretation
5
Dysrhythmia therapies & nursing interventions
12
Pacemakers
ICDs
Defibrillation / Cardioversion
4
4
3
Cardiac Arrest
1
CAD / ACS / MI (S/S, diagnosis, treatment, complications)
18
Medications (indications, method of action, side effects):
7
inotropes, antiplatelets, anti-anginals, anticoagulants, statins,
thrombolytics, meds for: ADHF, ACS, dysrhythmias, HTN Crisis
HTN Crisis
3
PCI/PTCA
5
CABG
1
ADHF / Cardiomyopathy
8
Dosage calculations
3