RCIS study plan
RCIS · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Cardiovascular Invasive Procedures and Patient Care & Cardiovascular Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology
Map each major invasive cardiovascular procedure to its indication, contraindication, and required patient preparation
Trace normal cardiac anatomy and coronary circulation from memory onto a blank diagram
List pre-, intra-, and post-procedure patient care checkpoints for catheterization and PCI
Define the pressure waveform components of the aortic and ventricular tracings
Your checkpoint
A one-page procedure-to-anatomy crosswalk covering at least 6 procedures with indications and prep steps
Cardiovascular Invasive Procedures and Patient Care & Cardiovascular Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology
Differentiate procedural complications (dissection, perforation, tamponade, access-site issues) by mechanism and early recognition signs
Explain valvular pathology and its hemodynamic consequences in the cath lab context
Sequence nursing actions for contrast reaction and access-site bleeding management
Compare congenital and acquired structural lesions relevant to invasive procedures
Your checkpoint
A 15-item self-quiz on complications and pathology scored at 80% or better
Hemodynamic Monitoring and Interpretation
Calculate Fick and thermodilution cardiac output and derive cardiac index
Compute valve areas and gradients from given pressure data
Interpret right- and left-heart pressure tracings against normal ranges
Derive pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance from measured pressures
Your checkpoint
A worked hemodynamic case sheet with all calculations shown and interpreted
Hemodynamic Monitoring and Interpretation & Equipment, Instrumentation, and Safety
Interpret shunt oximetry series and identify step-ups
Relate transducer leveling, zeroing, and damping to waveform fidelity
Identify causes of artifact and over/under-damping on pressure tracings
Explain radiation safety principles (ALARA, shielding, dose monitoring) applied to staff and patient
Your checkpoint
A hemodynamic and safety calculation set of 20 problems completed with 85% accuracy
Radiographic Imaging and Angiography
Identify standard angiographic projections and the anatomy each best demonstrates
Describe coronary lesion morphology and stenosis severity grading criteria
Explain contrast media properties, osmolality, and risk factors for contrast-induced nephropathy
Outline fluoroscopic equipment components and image chain function
Your checkpoint
An annotated projection-to-anatomy reference card covering at least 8 views
Radiographic Imaging and Angiography & Equipment, Instrumentation, and Safety
Apply radiation protection practices to fluoroscopy time and dose reduction
Differentiate catheter, guidewire, and sheath types by function and selection criteria
Troubleshoot common equipment failures and pressure system problems
Recognize image quality problems and their corrective actions
Your checkpoint
A troubleshooting flowchart for at least 5 equipment or image quality scenarios
Cardiovascular Invasive Procedures and Patient Care & Hemodynamic Monitoring and Interpretation & Cardiovascular Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology
Integrate procedure, hemodynamic, and pathology knowledge in full clinical scenarios
Answer timed mixed-domain practice questions and analyze error patterns
Review weak areas identified by practice performance
Rehearse patient care decision pathways under time pressure
Your checkpoint
A timed 60-question mixed practice exam with a written error analysis
Cardiovascular Invasive Procedures and Patient Care & Hemodynamic Monitoring and Interpretation & Cardiovascular Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology & Radiographic Imaging and Angiography & Equipment, Instrumentation, and Safety
Complete two full-length timed practice exams
Consolidate high-yield facts across all five domains into a review sheet
Target remaining weak domains with focused re-study
Practice exam-day pacing and question strategy
Your checkpoint
Two completed full-length practice exams with scores of 80% or higher and a final one-page high-yield summary
Milestones
Week 2: Score 80% or higher on complications and pathology self-quiz and complete the procedure-anatomy crosswalk
Week 4: Demonstrate correct hemodynamic calculations on 20 mixed problems at 85% accuracy
Week 6: Complete projection reference card and troubleshooting flowchart from memory with minimal reference
Week 8: Achieve 80% or higher on both full-length timed practice exams across all domains