In this Week 3 episode, we break down alterations in cardiac function with a focused review of perfusion and its impact on critically ill patients. The discussion walks through core cardiovascular concepts including cardiac output, preload, afterload, and mean arterial pressure, then builds into clinical applications such as hemodynamic monitoring, angiography, and invasive cardiovascular procedures. You’ll hear a clear review of dysrhythmia recognition, ECG interpretation, cardioversion and defibrillation, pacemakers and ICDs, and the nursing priorities surrounding acute coronary syndromes. The episode also connects coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, aneurysms, and aortic dissections to real-world assessment findings, diagnostics, and evidence-based nursing interventions. This review is designed to reinforce clinical judgment, prioritization, and safety for managing patients with compromised cardiac perfusion in high-acuity settings.

All information sourced from: Alterations to Cardiac Function – Week 3 Lecture (ATI-aligned course content)