Nursing Care
When caring for a patient with heart failure and fluid overload, the nurse should first implement this intervention
What is elevate the head of the bed to improve breathing?
This infectious disease can cause inflammation of the heart muscle, potentially leading to heart failure.
What is myocarditis?
Which diagnostic test is used to assess ejection fraction and evaluate ventricular function in heart failure?
What is an echocardiogram?
This diuretic helps reduce fluid overload in heart failure and is often given IV during acute exacerbations
What is furosemide (lasix)?
What should heart failure patients be tracking daily?
What is their weight log?
Prior to administering diuretics to a patient, what electrolytes should the nurse look to make sure are within range on the CMP?
What is potassium, sodium, and magnesium?
This type of heart failure is caused by stiff ventricles that cannot relax properly, often due to aging or hypertension.
What is diastolic heart failure?
Swelling in this area is common and worsens by the end of the day.
What are the ankles (dependent edema)?
These medications decrease preload of the heart and dilate coronary arteries, increasing O2 to myocardium
What are vasodilators (nitrates)?
Patients should weigh themselves before and after what morning activities?
What is before eating and after urination?
What heart sound should the nurse listen for upon auscultation that is an early sign that increased blood volume fills the ventricle with each beat?
What is S3 heart sound?
This valve disease, causing backward blood flow, can lead to volume overload and heart failure.
What is valve regurgitation?
This type of heart failure shows peripheral edema and jugular venous distension
What is right-sided heart failure?
This medication is given in heart failure patients to increase the force of cardiac contraction and slow the heart rate by reducing the speed of electrical conduction through the myocardium.
What is digoxin?
To help prevent fluid retention, patients with heart failure should limit intake of this
What is sodium?
What is promoted in patients with HF to avoid deconditioning, venous thromboembolisms, and pressure injuries?
What is daily walking?
These two structural changes can occur in the myocardium over time in chronic heart failure, leading to weaker cardiac function.
What are hypertrophy and dilation?
Frothy pink sputum is seen in this type of heart failure
What is left-sided heart failure
Priority nursing action that must be done prior to administering digoxin to a patient.
Check apical pulse for one minute (hold the medication if HR under 50)
What is the name of the diet recommended for patients who have experienced heart failure?
What is the DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)?
What should be avoided in patients with HF who are delirious, confused, or anxious because it may cause the patient to resist further and can increase cardiac workload?
What are restraints?
This hormonal system is activated to increase blood pressure and perfusion in heart failure, but over time it worsens fluid retention and increases cardiac workload.
What is the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)?
What ejection fraction (EF) value is consistent with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)?
What is an EF less than 40%?
This rare but life-threatening reaction to ACE inhibitors involves facial and throat swelling.
What is angioedema?
Yellow vision and hypokalemia are common side effects of this heart failure medication
What is digoxin?