Cardiovascular System (Exam Three) Flashcards
Describe heart failure.
Inability of the heart to maintain adequate cardiac output to meet the metabolic needs of the body
List signs and symptoms of left sided heart failure.
- Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea
- Elevated pulmonary pressure
- Pulmonary Congestion/Edema –> cough, crackles, wheezes, pink frothy sputum, tachypnea
- Restlessness
- Confusion
- Orthopnea
- Tachycardia
- Exertional Dyspnea
- Fatigue
- Cyanosis
List signs and symptoms of right sided heart failure.
- Fatigue
- Increased peripheral venous pressure
- Ascites
- Hepatomegaly
- Spleenomegaly
- Jugular Venous Distention
- Anorexia
- GI Distress: feelings of fullness, loss of appetite
- Weight gain
- Dependent edema
What diagnostic test is used to diagnose heart failure?
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram provides what specific information about the heart?
- Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)
- Heart valves
- Presence of effusion
- Presence of thrombus
What laboratory value is considered the number one indicator of heart failure?
Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
When is brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) released within the body?
When left ventricle is stretched
What is a normal brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level?
< 300 pg/mL
A brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level _________ is indicative of heart failure.
> 400 pg/mL
Why is it important for the nurse to know the patient’s baseline level brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)?
Levels may be higher in patients with chronic, stable heart failure
The nurse knows that nursing interventions are therapeutic if the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level does what?
Decreases
Describe the dilation compensatory mechanism.
HINT: Space
Enlargement of heart chambers
When does the dilation compensatory mechanism occur?
When pressure in left ventricle is elevated over time
Describe the hypertrophy compensatory mechanism.
HINT: Muscle
- Adaptive increase in heart muscle mass
- Adaptive increase in heart wall thickness
Why does the hypertrophy compensatory mechanism occur?
Slow response to overwork and strain on heart
Hypertrophy can cause the ___________ of the heart to fail.
Ventricles
Can dilation and hypertrophy occur simultaneously within the ventricles of the heart?
No
A patient with heart failure is admitted to the medical-surgical floor with chronic peripheral edema. The nurse auscultates the patients lungs two hours after initial assessment and hears bilateral crackles. What is the priority nursing intervention? Why?
- Call the physician!
- This is a sign and/or symptom of worsening heart failure
What is acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF)?
- Sudden increase in heart failure symptoms
- Decrease in functional status
Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) often requires what?
- Rapid escalation of therapy
- Hospitalization
What are considered early clinical manifestation of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF)?
- Increased pulmonary venous pressure
- Increased respiratory rate
- Decreased in PaO2
What are considered later clinical manifestation of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).
- Interstitial edema
- Tachypnea
- SOB
What clinical manifestations are considered further progression of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).
- Alveolar edema
- Respiratory acidosis
In heart failure patients, what is considered an early sign and/or symptom that the patient is beginning to decline?
Vital signs
A patient comes to the ED complaining of dyspnea. They state they they have a history of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). What is the priority nursing intervention(s)?
- Apply oxygen
- Auscultate lung sounds
List the signs and symptoms of pulmonary edema.
- Dyspnea
- Orthopnea
- Tachypnea
- Blood-tinged frothy sputum
Describe paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.
- Sensation of SOB that wakes the patient during nighttime
- Usually relieved in the upright position
How might a patient describe paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) to the nurse?
Feelings of suffocation
Should a beta-blocker be administered to a patient experiencing pulmonary edema?
No
The nurse knows a patient with pulmonary edema cannot receive a beta-blocker because:
- Causes bronchospasms
- Disrupts lung function
Why is a patient with heart failure commonly prescribed a diuretic(s)?
Decreases preload
Why is morphine commonly prescribed for patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF)?
- Decreases preload
- Decreases afterload
- Decreases dyspnea
- Decreases anxiety
Why is dopamine, dobutamine, or digoxin administered to a patient with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF)?
- Increases heart rate
- Increases contractility
Dopamine, dobutamine, and digoxin fall under what drug class?
Positive inotropes
List medications that fall under the drug class of positive inotropes.
- Dopamine
- Dobutamine
- Digoxin
The nurse administering positive inotrope therapy should educate the patient to notify the nurse if they develop what signs and symptoms?
- Tachycardia
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Nausea
- Vomiting
What is the therapeutic range of digoxin?
0.8 - 2.0 ng/mL
List signs and symptoms of digoxin toxicity.
- Yellow halo
- Vison changes
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
What specific metabolic state(s) increases the risk for developing digitalis toxicity?
- Hypokalemia
- Hypercalcemia