
To describe: The common diagnostic tests for cardiovascular function.
Concept introduction: Heart is the most important organ of the circulatory system. It consists of four chambers namely right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, and left ventricle. Heart has a complex anatomy with valves and chambers consisting of different functions for the circulation of blood. Heart disorders are ranked as the major cause of morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular disease is a group of diseases that includes heart or blood vessels.

Explanation of Solution
Diagnostic tests are an approach to collect clinical information for making a diagnosis. The diagnostic tests for cardiovascular function are as follows:
Electrocardiogram (ECG):
ECG will record the electrical signals and detect the irregularities in the heart rhythm and structure. It is helpful in diagnosis and monitoring of myocardial infarction, pericarditis, and infection.
Echocardiogram:
Echocardiogram is also called as cardiac echo, which is a sonogram of the heart. This will show a detailed view of the heart structure and function.
Exercise stress tests:
Exercise stress will help to assess the common cardiovascular function. The stress test will raise the heart rate with exercise while performing heart tests and imaging to check the way the heart responds. Exercise-induced problems like arrhythmias can also be assessed by exercise stress tests.
Chest x-ray film:
The evidence of pulmonary congestion due to heart failure and the shape and size of the heart can be detected using chest X-ray film.
Nuclear imaging;
The size of the infarct formed in heart, ventricles function, and extent of myocardial perfusion can be detected using nuclear imaging with radioactive substances. The different levels of tissue mass can be detected by tomographic studies. The damaged areas of myocardial tissue can be detected by nuclear medicine studies.
Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT):
SPECT is a specialized computed tomography scan that will properly assess the cardiac ischemia at rest.
Cardiac catheterization:
Cardiac catheterization will help to view the internal structure of heart, measure pressures, and assess the function of the heart. Cardiac catheterization is performed by passing a catheter through appropriate blood vessel to the ventricle. The central venous pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure that indicates the flow of blood to and from the heart can be determined by the use of catheters.
Angiography:
The flow of blood in the coronary artery can be viewed by coronary angiography. The heart blood vessels can be seen by the coronary angiogram using X-ray imaging. Angiogram will detect the blocks using X-rays taken through the injection of a contrast agent.
Troponin blood test:
Troponin is a complex protein that takes part in muscle contraction. The level of troponin can be detected using troponin blood test. Higher level of troponin protein indicates more damage to the heart. The troponin proteins are released when the cardiac muscle gets damaged.
Blood tests:
Blood test will evaluate the levels of serum triglyceride, cholesterol, potassium, sodium, and other electrolytes. Blood tests will also detect hemoglobin, differential count for white cells, or blood cell counts.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 12 Solutions
Gould's Pathophysiology for the Health Professions, 5e
- • Define shock and list types of shock • Discuss pathogenesis of septic shock. • Enumerate the stages of shock. • Define oedema and describe the pathophysiologic mechanisms of oedema with examples.arrow_forwardDiscuss Hypertension under the following headings: Definition Diagnosis Non-pharmacological intervention Drugs Classification Management of a Hypertensive emergencyarrow_forwardExplain how the answer could be 2 or 1.8 WITHOUT changing the questionarrow_forward
- overview of the neurological system, cranial nerves and what part of the body it innervatesarrow_forwarddifferentiate structure and function of the peripheral vascular system. what are the normal and abnormal findings of the peripheral arterioles and peripheral venous systemarrow_forwardAn overview of the skin, hair and nails epidermal appendages normal and abnormal findingsarrow_forward
- differentiate the twelve cranial nerves and how to test themarrow_forwardWhat are the nursing interventions for patients with GI problems ? What is the priority ?arrow_forwardAdult Nutrition Assessment Date of consultation: 3/2/25 Reason for Nutrition Assessment: Mrs. Clover was referred to the RD from the ER physician; patient experiencing weight loss, SOB & Edema Nutrition Assessment Data 69 YOF Ht 157 cm, Wt 53 kg. BMI 21.7 Usual wt 55 kg Heart: slight physiologic murmur; lungs: clear; extremities: 3+ edema to bilateral lower legs; elevated BP, abdomen: soft, nontender, active bowel sounds; neurologic: unremarkable; skin: diminished skin tugor. Biochemical Data BUN 72, Creatinine 4.6, Calcium 7.2, Phosphorus 7.3, glucose 105, BNP 720, Albumin 2.0, Na 125, K 3.3, CI 93. Hgb 11.5, Hct 33.2, ALT 29, AST 36, Alkaline phosphatase 120, other relevant labs pending result. Medications Include inhalers, Cymbalta, Neurontin, Seroquel, and topiramate, prilosec, solumedrol, rocephin, zithromax, NaCl 0.45%+50 MEQ sodium bicarbonate @100 ml/hr. No history of herbal supplements. Since her pneumonia diagnosis several days ago, she has felt too weak to prepare meals, she…arrow_forward
- Assuming you are a community health nurse, choose a community of your own and perform practically the following and report your findings: a. Community Assessment b. Community Diagnosisarrow_forwardDescribe practically how you would use a standing order in the diagnosis and treatment of a 10-year-old primary school pupil with a complaint of haematuria at the end of the urine.arrow_forwardSimple explanations, please. B. Why is an accurate diagnosis of malnutrition important? H. Is BMI a food indicator of malnutrition? I. Can an overweight/obese patient develop malnutrition? Why or why not?arrow_forward
- Phlebotomy EssentialsNursingISBN:9781451194524Author:Ruth McCall, Cathee M. Tankersley MT(ASCP)Publisher:JONES+BARTLETT PUBLISHERS, INC.Gould's Pathophysiology for the Health Profession...NursingISBN:9780323414425Author:Robert J Hubert BSPublisher:SaundersFundamentals Of NursingNursingISBN:9781496362179Author:Taylor, Carol (carol R.), LYNN, Pamela (pamela Barbara), Bartlett, Jennifer L.Publisher:Wolters Kluwer,
- Fundamentals of Nursing, 9eNursingISBN:9780323327404Author:Patricia A. Potter RN MSN PhD FAAN, Anne Griffin Perry RN EdD FAAN, Patricia Stockert RN BSN MS PhD, Amy Hall RN BSN MS PhD CNEPublisher:Elsevier ScienceStudy Guide for Gould's Pathophysiology for the H...NursingISBN:9780323414142Author:Hubert BS, Robert J; VanMeter PhD, Karin C.Publisher:SaundersIssues and Ethics in the Helping Professions (Min...NursingISBN:9781337406291Author:Gerald Corey, Marianne Schneider Corey, Cindy CoreyPublisher:Cengage Learning





