Heart Failure Flashcards
1
Q
What is Heart Failure?
A
Often referred to as congestive heart failure, is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump an adequate amount of blood to meet the body’s metabolic needs.
2
Q
What are the two causes that the heart is unable to pump effectively (in Heart Failure)?
A
- Heart is unable to fill with blood
- Cardiac contractility is ineffective
3
Q
In Heart Failure, the heart’s pump inadequacy leads to what nursing diagnosis?
A
This pump inadequacy epitomizes the nursing diagnosis of decreased cardiac output, and it leads to decreased cardiac output, increased preload, and increased afterload.
These three events, in turn, result in decreased contractility and stroke volume.
