While caring for a patient with reduced perfusion to the lower extremities, you recognize that you are uncertain if the patient is experiencing a blood-clotting issue or a cardiac-cycle issue. What steps will you take to find the answer?

How does understanding the cardiac cycle help you as a nurse?

When assessing a patient for peripheral vascular disease, how will you determine which structures (vessels) are affected?

Reflect on the steps of auscultating heart sounds and what sounds the nurse should anticipate when assessing for inflammation of the pericardium?