What This Document Is
This study guide supports students in NURS 332: Nursing in Health and Illness I at Boise State University, specifically focusing on the cardiac exam. It’s a review resource designed to help students prepare for assessments related to cardiovascular function. The guide consolidates key concepts from Chapter 21 of the course textbook.
Why This Document Matters
This guide is intended for nursing students preparing for an exam on cardiovascular assessment. It’s most useful during exam review, as a quick reference while studying, or to identify areas needing further attention. It exists to help students synthesize complex information about the heart and related physiological processes.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This study guide is a condensed overview and does *not* replace the need to read the full textbook chapter, attend lectures, or participate in clinical experiences. It’s a study *aid*, not a comprehensive learning tool. It does not include practice questions or detailed case studies.
What This Document Provides
This guide includes information on: the phases of the cardiac cycle, cardiac action potentials (including P-wave and QRS complex significance), cardiac output (CO) calculation and its components (stroke volume, heart rate, preload, afterload, contractility, ejection fraction), the Frank-Starling Law, control of heart rate and stroke volume, age-related changes to the cardiac system, key elements of a cardiovascular assessment (including risk factors, common symptoms, and physical exam findings – hair, eyes, JVD, auscultation, abdomen, nails, legs), and descriptions of heart sounds (S1, S2, S3, S4).
This preview does *not* include detailed explanations of specific cardiac conditions, treatment plans, or in-depth practice questions. It also does not cover all potential assessment findings.