Any good reads/advice for my upcoming semester working with cardiac pts.?

[emptyboxcars]

I will be doing my clinical rotation on the cardiac unit this upcoming semester and I'd love to hear some recommendations for books to study, preparation, etc. Any advice for being on the hospital floor itself during clinical? Thanks in advance.

[LadyinScrubs, ASN, RN]

Your med surg book should have a good section on cardiac. Off the top of my head, you will be way ahead if yo know:

• how to read a rhythm strip;
  
• recognize normal and abnormal rhythms;
  
• understand the pathology of an abnormal rhythm;
  
• cardiac drugs, why they are administered, expected outcome and when to give or hold a med.
  
• function of the heart and how preload and afterload will affect the heart, lungs, and body;
  
• s/s of heart failure and drugs to treat;
  
• s/s of an MI, the tests given and labs;
  
• understand diuretics, the types, what is conserved/lost, and where they work in the kidney.
  

There is so much more but that should keep you busy.

[emptyboxcars]

Thanks! I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I did start reading the cardiac units from my med-surg book. Good to know what to focus on in my studies. Any supplementary books you'd recommend for studying and/or clinicals?