Nursing Cardiac Patient Flashcards
What can we examine in a consult to give info about heart and CVS?
- Pulse rate, quality and rhythm
- MM colour and CRT
- Heart and chest auscultation - rate, rhythm, audibility, abnormal sounds
- Resting RR (increase suggestion decompensation of heart)
- SPO2 of peripheral vessels (first thing to go)
- Abdominal fluid wave
What would a radiograph of the heart help us identify?
Size, Shape
Fluid in chest
What does an ECG do?
Measures electrical impulses of heart
How would you set up a patient for an ECG?
R lateral recumbency
Clipped and spirit swabbed legs
Attach leads Red = R Fore, Yellow = L Fore, Green = L Hindleg
What can we evaluate using echocardiography?
Heart structure, function and blood flow
What is the formula for calculating BP?
BP= Cardiac Output X Total Peripheral Resistance
CO= the total volume of blood pumped out heart every minute TPR= measure of tone of peripheral blood vessels i.e. their ability to contract
What are the normal BP values for dogs and cats?
Dog: 133mmHg systolic
Cat: 124mmHg systolic
What nursing interventions should considered for a cardiac patient?
- reduce stress in environment
- minimal handling
- controlled exercise
- oxygen
- IV emergency access
- CARE with IVFT as system already flooded
- Frequent opportunity for urination (diuretics) / catheterisation
- Restricted sodium diet (reduces the water retention)
- Control calories if overweight
What home care info can be given to owners of cardiac patients?
- education on what they’re doing and why
- exercise in moderation
- cardiac diet and healthy treats
- don’t smoke in house
- boosters e.g. KC as will make resp signs worse
How can we monitor a cardiac patient’s progress?
- Measure food intake, BW, BCS, MCS
- Measure hydration status and water intake
- Monitor urine output and USG
- Measure SPO2 and MM colour, CRT, HR, RRR..
- Record exercise and vital signs during/after
- observe .
