Heart Failure Flashcards
Symptoms of right sided heart failure
edema, jugular vein distention, ascities
Symptoms of left sided heart failure
Pulmonary edema Pink, frothy sputum Crackles in lungs Cough fatigue
Where is the best place (most likely) to assess for edema
leg (shin)
Why are diuretics commonly used for heart failure
to get fluid out
what are side effects of most diuretics
low potassium
What are some teaching tips the nurse should give to the patient taking diuretics
eat food with K+
Take in morning
if dizzy, sit back down
What should be done prior to giving Digoxin
Check apical pulse
If the pulse is abnormal before giving digoxin, what should the nurse do
hold med, call the doctor
what is the best way to monitor fluid imbalance
Daily weight
When weighing a patient what are guidelines
same clothes
same scale
same time of day
What is the goal of treatment of the patient with heart failure
decrease workload on the heart
Why is it important to avoid straining(valsalva maneuver)
Less O2 gets to the heart
What are symptoms of acute heart failure (acute pulmonary edema)
pink, frothy sputum, rapid respiration, dyspnea
What should be the nurses first reaction to cardiac arrest
Hey are you ok?
Check pulse
call code
What are symptoms of decreased cardiac output
capillary refill, bad pulse, low urine output, low BP
