Congestive Heart Failure

Question 1

Decreased heart function; leads to circulatory congestion in heart

Answer 1

Heart can’t pump enough blood to organs; blood returning to heart gets backed up = congestion

Question 2

Caused by:

Answer 2

Heart attack; heart disease; high blood pressure; renal failure

Question 3

Blood is thicker/more viscous

Answer 3

Gets congested in right atrium

Question 4

Neck veins engorged with blood

Answer 4

Neck and face discoloured & distended

Question 5

Cyanosis of lips, ears, fingertips

Answer 5

Treatment: lower arms over table (for fingers)

Question 6

Edema may be present -> Generalized; pulmonary; and/or ascites

Answer 6

Treatment: use strong arterial solution

Question 7

Treatment: Restricted cervical injection

Answer 7

To allow treatment of facial distention

Question 8

Treatment: Continuous drainage from right IJV (or both)

Answer 8

Drains head & allows grabbing of clots from right atrium

Question 9

Start injection with high pressure and rate-of-flow

Answer 9

Establishes distribution

Question 10

Inject mild solution for 1st gallon, then increase strength

Answer 10

Clears clots & establishes drainage

Question 11

Perform immediate & thorough cavity treatment

Answer 11

Reaspirate & reinject later if necessary