Congestive heart failure is a cardiac disorder where the heart ability to pump blood is not enough the body's requirements. The pumping efficiency of the heart can be impaired but various factors, therefore, causing congestive heart failure (Alosco, 2013). This essay discusses congestive heart failure considering pathophysiology of the disease, nursing diagnoses, interventions and patient education. This medical condition should be an area of concern since it claims a significant number of lives annually.
Pathophysiology of congestive heart failure may vary from one patient to another. However, the general signs and symptoms of the disease include shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, swelling (edema), diminished exercise capacity and rapid or irregular heartbeats. The fluid backup can cause shortness of breath in the lungs, and this can lead to wheezing. Insufficient blood flow to the kidneys causes water retention that leads to swelling of the ankles, legs, and abdomen. Fatigue and dizziness are caused by the low supply of blood to major body organs such as the brain and muscles.
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Various nursing diagnoses have been designed to help detect congestive heart failures. After the nurse or doctor has asked the patient about his/her symptoms and medical history, several tests can be carried out to determine the severity of the condition. These diagnoses include blood tests, the ejection fraction (EF) and echocardiogram. Blood tests evaluate the functions of the kidney and thyroid and also check the cholesterol level in the blood. Blood tests also detect the presence of anemia which has similar symptoms, but it is caused by low hemoglobin content (Fisher, 2014). The heart secretes BNP due to changes in blood pressure and the level increases when heart failure worsens. The ejection fraction is used to determine heart failure by measuring how the heat pumps with every beat in the presence of preserved left ventricular function. The echocardiogram diagnosis is an ultrasound test showing the structure, function, and movement of the heart. These diagnoses and much more are used to precisely detect congestive heart failure.
Nursing interventions can help in treating congestive heart failure. The first nursing intervention is to monitor the signs of respiratory distress. The nurse should oxygen provide as prescribed, observe the ABG values, provide the needed pulmonary hygiene and keep the head of the bed elevated (Patel, 2017). The second intervention is to observe altered cardiac output through the characteristic ECG or arrhythmias. Thirdly, evaluate the fluid status and strictly maintain the intake and output of fluids. The fourth intervention is administering prescribed medications which may include ant arrhythmias, diuretics and iron and folic acid supplements. The fifth nursing intervention is to reduce the cardiac demands by scheduling nursing sessions to allow the patient to have enough rest.
To evaluate whether the patient is getting better the nurse has to monitor and observe various factors. Conducting regular BNP tests is one way of evaluating the patient's progress. Observing reductions in swelling in the patient also shows that the patient is getting better (Whang, 2013). Changes in the ECG machine monitoring the patient's heart function can be used to evaluate the progress of the patient.
In my discharge plan, I would include patient education. I would teach the patient on how to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and observe any symptoms. I would educate him/her on the effects of smoking, alcohol, obesity on the heart (Alosco, 2013). Finally, I would encourage the patient to schedule periodic cardiac checkups with the doctor.
References
Alosco, B. a. (2013). Cerebral perfusion is associated with white matter hyperintensities in older adults with heart failure. Chicago: Chicago Press.
Fisher, B. a. (2014). Stem cell therapy for chronic ischaemic heart disease and congestive heart failure. New York: Cochrane Database Works.
Patel, P., (2017). Association of Holter-derived heart rate variability parameters with the development of congestive heart failure in the cardiovascular health study. New York: Springer Publishers.
Whang. (2013). Congestive heart failure. New York: Springer Publishers.
