Heart Failure and Nursing Management Flashcards
About half of people who develop heart failure die within ____ years of diagnosis.
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Heart failure = __________ _________
Ineffective pump
Describe the pathophysiology behind heart failure
-Heart chambers are unable to pump enough blood to meet tissues’ O2 requirements
-A syndrome of pulmonary and/or systemic congestion due to DECREASED cardiac output
-Increased pulmonary pressure → fluid in alveoli (PULMONARY EDEMA)
^Left-sided heart failure
-Increased systemic pressure → fluid in tissues (PERIPHERAL EDEMA)
^Right-sided heart failure
Primary risk factors of heart failure
CAD
Advancing age
HTN
DM
Tobacco use
Obesity
High serum cholesterol
Inactive lifestyle
Heart failure is caused by systemic hypertension in ______ of cases.
75%
Heart failure is characterized by
decreased _________ ___________.
ejection fraction (<40%)
In addition to decreased ejection fraction, heart failure is also characterized by? (4 things)
- Ventricular dysfunction- systolic or diastolic
a. Systolic HF- decreased contractility of left ventricle, decreased inotrope
b. Diastolic HF- decreased ability of ventricle to relax/stiff! - Reduced exercise tolerance
- Diminished quality of life
- Shortened life expectancy
What is the formula for ejection fraction (%)?
Amount of blood pumped out of the ventricle/Total amount of blood in ventricle
What is ejection fraction?
Measurement of the percentage of blood leaving your heart each time it squeezes.
What is a normal ejection fraction?
55-70%
What is an echocardiogram used for?
-Uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. This common test can show blood flow through the heart and heart valves.
-Helps diagnose heart failure, non-invasive, ultrasound.
What is a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) used for?
Gives more detail than a standard echo
Helps with diagnosing heart failure***
Uses endoscope to guide ultrasound to go via mouth, esophagus, and visualize heart
What is the primary goal of diagnostic studies related to heart failure?
Determine and treat underlying cause.
What is BNP? What does a BNP diagnostic study test?
Released in response to increase in atrial Volume and ventricular pressure
High specificity, high sensitivity for diagnosis*
Over > 400 pg/mL in patients with dyspnea due to heart failure.**
Lavender top tube
If you patient has heart failure, need BNP on you care plan, helps diagnosis and monitor these trends for HF severity and risk stratification!!!****
What type of diet is used for treatment in patients with heart failure?
Low salt diet – 2-4 gram of salt per day with fluid restriction.
What medications decrease fluid load, preload, and afterload?
ACE inhibitors & Diuretics
What medications improve contractility?
Digoxin
What medications decrease workload of the heart?
Beta-blockers
List pharmacotherapy used for patients with heart failure
diuretics (get rid of fluids on board), ACEI (helps w/BP and cardiac remodeling), inotropes (increases efficacy of pumping function of heart)
What are some education topics to provide patients with heart failure?
Education-weight reduction, compliance with meds, cardiac rehab, oxygen use prn, obtain daily weights, report weight gain over 2/3 lbs in one day**HAVE TO NOTIFY, alcohol cessation, medication compliance.
Heart failure is caused by _________ in 75% of cases.
systemic hypertension
To help decrease the risk for volume overload leading to hospitalization in heart failure patients, fluid should be restricted to about _____ L of all liquids daily.
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