Nursing Pathophysiology/Pharmacology

Running head: NURSING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY/PHARMCALOGY
Nursing pathophysiology/pharmacology
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1NURSING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY/PHARMACOLOGY
Answer 1:
Arteriosclerosis is the condition leading to hardening of the arterial wall and restriction of
the blood flow to different organs and tissues (Kuro-o, 2017). In contrast, atherosclerosis is a
condition which leads to narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup on the artery walls.
Atherosclerosis can be regarded as a form of arteriosclerosis where elasticity of arteries are lost
due to deposition of fatty plaques and other substance on the artery walls (Stone et al., 2014).
The main pathophysiological difference between both the conditions is related to narrowing and
hardening of arterial walls in respective conditions.
Answer 2:
NSTEMI (Non-segmented elevation myocardial infarction) and STEMI (ST-segment
elevation myocardial infarction) are two common types of heart attacks where difference is
found on the nature of waves detected in electrocardiogram (ECG) (Fanaroff et al., 2016). The
difference in ECG characteristics for NSTEMI and STEMI are as follows:
 Depressed ST wave is found in NSTEMI and in STEMI, elevated ST waves are formed.
 No progression to Q wave is seen in NSTEMI, however progression to Q wave is seen
STEMI condition
 The ECG characteristics of NSTEMI shows partial blockage of the coronary artery and in
case of STEMI, full blockage in the coronary artery is found (Fanaroff et al., 2016).
 NSTEMI is the least commonly occurring heart attack compared to STEMI (McManus et
al., 2011).

2NURSING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY/PHARMACOLOGY
Answer 3:
Angina pectoris is a clinical term given for chest pain in patients with coronary heart
disease. It occurs due to blockage of arteries and lack of appropriate blood flow to the heart
muscle (Tarkin & Kaski, 2013).
The main difference between signs and symptoms of myocardial infarction and angina
pectoris are as follows:
 Angina pectoris consists of many types such as stable angina, unstable angina,
microvascular angina and Prinzmetal’s angina (Iqbal et al., 2016). In contrast, myocardial
infarction consists of two types including NSTEMI and STEMI (Ludka et al., 2015).
 The main problem or sign in case of angina pectoris is intermittent chest pain (Katzung &
Chatterjee, 2012) and the main problem in myocardial infarction is tightness in the chest
(Canto et al., 2012).
 The difference in symptoms of myocardial infarction and angina pectoris is that in case of
angina pectoris, patients have pressing chest pain in the left side (Katzung & Chatterjee,
2012). In myocardial infarction, the crushing chest pain is on the lower sternum (Canto et
al., 2012).
Answer 4:
Preload and afterload are two terms used in cardiac physiology. Preload or left ventricular
end-diastolic pressure is the end-diastolic volume found at the end of diastole. In contrast,
afterload or systemic vascular resistance is the amount of resistance needed by heart to push the
blood into systemic circulation. Preload is an event that occurs after the end of diastole whereas
afterload is a condition that occurs during systole (Lao et al., 2015).