Learn about the nursing care management of patients with heart failure. Show
What is Heart Failure?Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is recognized as a clinical syndrome characterized by signs and symptoms of fluid overload or of inadequate tissue perfusion.
ClassificationHeart failure is classified into two types: left-sided heart failure and right-sided heart failure. Left-Sided Heart Failure
Right-Sided Heart Failure
The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association have classifications of heart failure.
PathophysiologyHeart failure results from a variety of cardiovascular conditions, including chronic hypertension, coronary artery disease, and valvular disease.
StatisticsJust like coronary artery disease, the incidence of HF increases with age.
IncidencesHeart failure can affect both women and men, although the mortality is higher among women.
CausesSystemic diseases are usually one of the most common causes of heart failure.
Clinical ManifestationsThe clinical manifestations produced y the different types of HF are similar and therefore do not assist in differentiating the types of HF. The signs and symptoms can be related to the ventricle affected. from Cardiovascular MnemonicsLeft-sided HF
Right-sided HF
PreventionPrevention of heart failure mainly lies in lifestyle management.
ComplicationsMany potential problems associated with HF therapy relate to the use of diuretics.
Assessment and Diagnostic FindingsHF may go undetected until the patient presents with signs and symptoms of pulmonary and peripheral edema.
Medical ManagementThe overall goals of management of HF are to relieve patient symptoms, to improve functional status and quality of life, and to extend survival. from Cardiovascular Care Nursing Mnemonics.Pharmacologic Therapy
Nutritional Therapy
Additional Therapy
Nursing ManagementDespite advances in the treatment of HF, morbidity and mortality remains high. Nurses have a major impact on outcomes for patients with HF. Nursing AssessmentThe nursing assessment for the patient with HF focuses on observing for the effectiveness of therapy and for the patient’s ability to understand and implement self-management strategies. Health History
Physical Examination
DiagnosisBased on the assessment data, major nursing diagnoses for the patient with HF include the following:
Planning & GoalsMain Article: 16+ Heart Failure Nursing Care Plans The care plan necessary for HF focuses on:
Nursing InterventionsNursing interventions for a patient with HF focuses on management of the patient’s activities and fluid intake.
Nursing Priorities
EvaluationFor the expected patient outcomes, the following are evaluated:
Discharge and Home Care GuidelinesThe nurse should provide education and involve the patient in the therapeutic regimen.
Discharge Goals
Documentation GuidelinesThe following data should be documented appropriately:
Practice Quiz: Heart FailureLet’s test what you’ve learned from this study guide with this 5-item quiz for heart failure. 1. The most frequent cause of hospitalization for people older than 75 years old is: A. Angina
pectoris 2. The primary cause of heart failure is: A. Arterial hypertension 3. The dominant function in cardiac failure is: A. Ascites 4. On assessment, the nurse knows that a patient who reports no symptoms of heart failure at rest but is symptomatic with increased physical activity would have a heart failure classification of: A. Stage I 5. The diagnosis of heart failure is usually confirmed by: A. Chest
x-ray Answers and Rationale 1. Answer: B. Heart failure
2. Answer: B. Coronary atherosclerosis
3. Answer C. Inadequate tissue perfusion
4. Answer: A. Stage I
5. Answer: B: Echocardiogram
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