Cardiovascular System
Key Points
- The cardiovascular system includes the heart, blood, and blood vessels that deliver oxygen/nutrients and remove wastes.
- Arteries, capillaries, and veins form the transport network linking tissue metabolism and organ function.
- Aging and atherosclerotic change reduce perfusion reserve and increase risk for falls, edema, stroke, and myocardial events.
Pathophysiology
Cardiovascular function depends on coordinated cardiac pumping and vessel integrity to maintain tissue perfusion and waste removal. Oxygenated blood is distributed through arteries to capillaries, where exchange occurs, then returned via veins for recirculation and organ-based filtration.
With age, reduced vascular elasticity and myocardial reserve can impair blood-pressure regulation and oxygen distribution. Additional plaque burden narrows vessels and worsens flow, increasing risk of thrombosis, ischemia, and cardiorespiratory compromise.
Classification
- Core system components: Heart pump function, circulating blood volume/content, and vascular network.
- Transport pathways: Arterial delivery, capillary exchange, venous return.
- Risk progression states: Reduced elasticity, plaque accumulation, and thromboembolic risk.
Nursing Assessment
NCLEX Focus
Priority questions test recognition of cardiovascular red flags requiring immediate nurse notification or emergency activation.
- Observe for chest pain, dyspnea, cyanosis, acute dizziness, or sudden activity intolerance.
- Identify edema pattern changes, rapid weight gain trends, and unilateral leg findings suggestive of DVT.
- Monitor for fatigue, palpitations, and symptomatic blood-pressure instability cues.
- Report potential PE signs urgently (sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, hemoptysis).
Nursing Interventions
- Encourage activity as tolerated and mobility measures to reduce stasis-related clot risk.
- Support heart-healthy habits: low-fat/low-cholesterol intake, smoking cessation, and weight management.
- Implement prescribed compression supports and monitor tolerance/safety.
- Escalate emergent cardiopulmonary symptoms immediately per setting protocol.
Acute Perfusion Threat
New chest pain, severe dyspnea, or cyanosis can signal life-threatening cardiovascular compromise and requires immediate escalation.
Pharmacology
| Drug Class | Examples | Key Nursing Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| antihypertensives | Blood-pressure management context | Support adherence and monitor for dizziness/fall risk with position changes. |
| anticoagulants | DVT/AF-related context | Observe bleeding risk and promptly report signs of clot progression or PE. |
Clinical Judgment Application
Clinical Scenario
A resident with edema and heart-failure history develops rapid weight gain, increasing dyspnea, and perioral cyanosis.
Recognize Cues: Worsening fluid overload indicators and oxygenation concern. Analyze Cues: Perfusion/respiratory status is deteriorating and may progress quickly. Prioritize Hypotheses: Immediate priority is acute cardiopulmonary compromise prevention. Generate Solutions: Obtain urgent nurse support, position safely, and prepare ordered oxygen/interventions. Take Action: Escalate rapidly with objective symptom/timing report. Evaluate Outcomes: Breathing and oxygenation stabilize or emergency pathway is activated.
Related Concepts
- heart-failure - Reduced pump performance commonly drives edema and dyspnea progression.
- hypertension - Chronic pressure burden accelerates vascular damage and cardiac strain.
- atrial-fibrillation - Rhythm instability increases stroke and clot risk.
- deep-vein-thrombosis - Venous clot can progress to pulmonary embolism.
- peripheral-iv-therapy-complications - Vascular monitoring and prompt escalation principles overlap.
Self-Check
- Which cardiovascular findings require immediate escalation rather than routine monitoring?
- How do age-related vessel changes increase fall and fatigue risk?
- Why is unilateral leg swelling with tenderness a high-priority report?