Cardiovascular System Review - Level Up RN

Introduction

• Presenter: Cathy from Level Up RN
• Series: Cardiovascular System Playlist
• Accompanying resource: Medical-surgical nursing flashcards (2nd edition)
• Goal: Teach key facts and concepts for nursing exams and clinical practice

Video Series Structure

• Current Video & Next Two Videos: Anatomy and Physiology review of the cardiovascular system
• Subsequent Videos: Diagnostic tests and disorders
• Includes quizzes for knowledge checks at the end of each video

Importance of Understanding Anatomy & Physiology

• Helps in understanding how the body system works
• Facilitates critical thinking about symptoms when something goes wrong

Cardiovascular System Overview

• Comprised of the heart and blood vessels
• Heart: Muscular pump circulating ~5 liters of blood per minute
• Blood Flow Path: Heart → Arteries → Arterioles → Capillaries → Venules → Veins → Back to Heart
• Key Function:
  • Supply oxygen and nutrients to body cells
  • Remove metabolic waste at the capillaries

Heart Structure

• Pericardium: Membrane surrounding the heart

  • "Peri" = around or enclosing
  • Related term: Pericarditis (inflammation of pericardium)

• Heart Wall Layers:

  • Epicardium: Outer layer ("Epi" = upon or above)
  • Myocardium: Middle layer, responsible for pumping ("Myo" = muscle)
  • Endocardium: Inner layer ("Endo" = inner)

Chambers and Valves of the Heart

• Chambers:

  • Right Atrium, Right Ventricle, Left Atrium, Left Ventricle
  • Separated by a septum

• Valves:

  • Control blood flow; prevent backward flow
  • Tricuspid Valve: Right atrium & right ventricle ("Tri" hint: "Ri" for Right)
  • Mitral Valve: Left atrium & left ventricle
  • Pulmonic Valve: Right ventricle & pulmonary artery
  • Aortic Valve: Left ventricle & aorta

Blood Flow Through the Heart

1. Right Atrium: Receives unoxygenated blood from:
   • Superior Vena Cava
   • Inferior Vena Cava
   • Coronary Sinus
2. Blood passes through the Tricuspid Valve → Right Ventricle
3. Through Pulmonic Valve → Pulmonary Artery → Lungs (oxygenation)
4. Returns to Left Atrium via Pulmonary Veins
5. Through Mitral Valve → Left Ventricle
6. Through Aortic Valve → Aorta → Body

• Understanding this flow is crucial for understanding heart failure symptoms

Knowledge Check Quiz

1. Membrane surrounding the heart?
   • Answer: Pericardium
2. Inner layer of the heart?
   • Answer: Endocardium
3. Valve between the right atrium and right ventricle?
   • Answer: Tricuspid Valve ("Tri" hint: "Ri" for Right)

Conclusion

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• Suggestions to share the channel with classmates for additional support